Bars getting ‘squeezed’ as costs go up and Hobartians can’t pay, tourism body says
- A wave of pub and venue closures in Hobart, including sites linked to the Pub Banc group, is putting pressure on the local hospitality industry and raising concerns about its stability.
- Business owners cite rising costs, reduced patron spending, and broader economic challenges as key factors driving closures and financial strain.
- Workers and suppliers are being affected through job losses and uncertainty, while industry figures warn more closures could follow without improved trading conditions.
Set up behind her DJ decks, Brittney McNeil’s job is to read the room, keep the energy high and provide the soundtrack for a memorable night on the dancefloor.
But for the past two years, she has noticed the beat changing in Hobart’s nightlife, with smaller crowds, quieter Fridays and fewer people buying drinks.
After the sudden closure of seven venues, including the Observatory Bar where she regularly performed, she is one of many wondering what comes next for the city’s after-dark scene.
“It’s a very big blow to not just people that go out but the security, bar staff, DJs, musicians and anyone else that works in the hospitality industry,” Ms McNeil said.
The affected pubs and clubs were all owned by the Pub Banc Group and Hotel Banc Group, which was placed under voluntary administration on Monday.
The group’s director, Ian Vaughn, blamed an “extended period of challenging trading conditions”, including higher operating expenses and changing consumer behaviour.
Industry experts said the situation reflected the challenges being faced by many businesses across the city’s hospitality sector in recent …
... read the full article here
Original article and photo by "ABC News"
