Let the hospo Games begin

GLITTER Strip night spot bosses are renewing calls to relax licensing hours during the Commonwealth Games – and to ease up on compulsory ID scanning.

Frustrated bar operators say a combination of 3am last drinks and problematic scanners – incompatible with many foreign IDs – will be an international Games embarrassment for the party precinct.

They hope the State Government, which brought forward last drinks two hours and introduced compulsory scanning from 10pm, will consider easing up for the Games.

Their push has had strong support from Mayor Tom Tate, who previously suggested the Games fortnight would be perfect for trialling 24-hour licensing. Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek backs more relaxed hours.

Elsewhere owner Simone Jenkins hoped the Govern- ment would come to the party so “we make it a proper party”.

“It is going to be a bit of a shocker for people who come – town shuts at 3am and your ID might not scan,” she said.

“As an impression on the world, it seems a bit strange you can fly into Victoria and go out 24 hours and here you cannot. So it’s quite uneven.”

Surfers Paradise Licensed Venues Association president Tim Martin was confident the Government would heed advice to loosen up a little.

“Otherwise we are going to be the laughing stock of the world. These earlier closing times suggest it’s not safe – our crime is decreasing.”

Mr Martin, general manager for Bedroom and Sin City, said he also wanted tweaks to compulsory ID scanning rules.

Allowing “pass out” cards to patrons who pop out for something like a cigarette will boost trade by enabling them to reenter quickly and avoid scanner queues, he said.