LIVE ENTERTAINMENT COMING TO A RESTAURANT NEAR YOU
February 25th, 2009LIVE ENTERTAINMENT COMING TO A RESTAURANT NEAR YOU
Great news for NSW Restaurants that want to have live music. On December 18 2008 a direction was issued from the NSW Government that councils canno longer require development approval for live or recorded music that does not change the primary purpose of the premises from being a restaurant.
“A local restaurant does not need night-club style safety equipment such as smoke extractors, fire hoses or extra wide doors to allow two blokes with a guitar and saxophone to play in the corner.”, NSW Planning Minister Kristina Keneally said on the 18th December 2008. “Recorded or live music, which do not change the primary purpose of eating or drinking venues, does not and should not require further development consent”.
This is great news for the NSW Restaurant industry. Many venues in the past tried to put on entertainment, but found it too hard. The cost of the additional fire safety measures and the complexity of the development applications meant that many people just gave up, particularly those who just wanted something small scale in the corner. Now the red tape has been cut, paving the way for an exciting future.
Live music can be an important point of difference from the competition. There is is a complementary relationship between good food and good music, especially when it comes to cuisine from around the world.
Whilst a fine dining restaurant may not always wish to have regular live entertainment, to at least have the freedom to have music if required is important for private functions, particularly weddings.
For Restaurants wishing to attract patrons in down times such as afternoons on weekends, or for keeping patrons for a quiet drink after dessert, some live entertainment has great potential to attract new people and add diversity to your business.
A classical guitar, for example, can add ambience and romance to a night out. Souvlakia tastes better when there is a Bouzouki not far away and imagine Curry with Sitar or Lebanese food with an Oud.
Even some Sunday afternoon jazz with a tapas menu could be a fantastic way to diversify what you are doing.
The great news is, that NSW Restaurants that want to have a musician instead of just recorded music can start tonight.
If you want to know more:
Read the media release from NSW Planning Minister, Kristina Keneally - “Live entertainment coming to a bar near you”
http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/mediarelplan/fs20081218_789.html
Read the circular from the NSW Director General of Planning, Sam Haddad - “ Entertainment in pubs, bars, cafe’s and restaurants”
http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/planningsystem/pdf/ps08_012_places_of_public_entertainment.pdf
For further information:
visit the NSW Department of Planning website at
http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/
Or contact the Departments information centre:
Information Centre
23-33 Bridge Street, Sydney NSW 2000
GPO Box 39, Sydney NSW 2001
Tel: 02 9228 6333
Fax: 02 9228 6555
Email: information@planning.nsw.gov.au
