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HAVING worked in hospitality in Bendigo for 14 years, Andrew Lethlean has seen the nature of ‘having a night out’ change quite dramatically.
The owner of the Metro and Puggs Irish Bar says the availability of low-priced drugs and comparatively cheap alcohol means many people arrive at the venue in varied stages of intoxication.
Mr Lethlean said it often placed venues in a compromised position.
“There’s a very fine line, especially with late night venues,” he said.
“We have a few problems with the kids that will pre-load, are on drugs, they come into our venues and we’re often the ones holding the baby.
“We’ve got a lot of issues at the moment, and my main issue at the moment is pre-loading and the drugs involvement.
“I definitely think it’s worsening.”
Based on Bull Street, the area attracts large numbers of late night revellers and has experienced some instances of violence in the last few years.
Mr Lethlean welcomed an expansion in the number of liquor and gaming inspectors in Victoria, and the decision to open offices in country areas, claiming regional Victorian venues had been neglected by the regulator in recent years.
He also believed the 2am lockout laws had improved safety in the Bendigo CBD as it meant fewer people were moving around on the streets in the early hours of the morning.
“It probably stops that transition of people moving from venue to venue in that time of night when you do get a few issues,” Mr Lethlean said.
“If they’re all in the venues at 2 o’clock, then you’ve got security and video surveillance and the police know where all of the public are, so it makes it a lot easier to manage.”