Residents of an exclusive suburb are trying to stop a local pub from expanding into a live music venue.
The Commodore Hotel in McMahons Point, north of Sydney, is currently undergoing a massive $2.6 million renovation to expand the dining, sports bar and gaming areas.
The pub’s owners, the Epochal hotel group, have applied for an extended liquor licence to reflect the doubling of the premises’ floor space, while keeping capacity limited to 405 customers.
The refurbishment will also assist the pub’s plan to be included on Liquor and Gaming NSW’s official list of live entertainment venues.
However, local residents have approached North Sydney Council to try to block the extension of the pub’s liquor licence over fears it would disrupt the “village atmosphere” of the area.
One such complaint came from a group of residents living in nearby Lavender Bay who were furious about the noisy “trivia nights” held at the Commodore.
Another objection was lodged by the prestigious Catholic Shore High School, located across the road from the pub, which cited a potential increase in “user activity” affecting students.
Shore School’s letter to the council expressed concerns about young Year 7 students being affected by the extended leave, The Telegraph newspaper reported.
Upmarket residents near the Commodore Hotel in Sydney’s north (pictured) are attempting to block the pub’s expansion as a live music venue over concerns about noise complaints.
He pointed to a recent incident involving an “unauthorized man trespassing” on its campus who the school “suspected” had been at the Commodore Hotel.
“We also own apartments across the street from the facility and are concerned about the impact of the expanded capacity,” the letter reads.
Shore’s problems eased after a “productive meeting” with the hotel following his presentation to the council.
Epochal chief executive Glenn Piper has since hit back at opponents of the pub’s expansion, arguing it will “breathe new life” into the surrounding area.
Mr Piper said in a statement to Daily Mail Australia that Epochal wanted to “revive local pride in the places we take over”.
The company currently owns 12 venues, including the Commodore, which Mr Piper described as an “iconic pub with a rich and storied history”.
“Our redevelopment aims to honor that legacy while elevating the venue into something truly special that resonates with the community today,” he said.
“We’re excited to breathe new life into this part of Sydney and create an experience the entire community can call their own.”
The “historic” pub is currently undergoing a $2.6 million renovation (pictured) that will nearly double its floor space without increasing the number of customers allowed.
Commodore owner and chief executive of Epochal hotel group Glenn Piper (pictured) said the renovations would “breathe new life” into the surrounding suburb.
The proposed liquor licence, which is still being assessed by NSW Liquor and Gaming, will cover the ground floor sports bar, games room and expanded first floor terrace.
A community impact statement submitted to the regulator on August 1 revealed the owner’s plans to “increase its live music offering… following the current renovations.”
“The hotel supported the live music industry by hosting live music performances on Sunday afternoons and Saturday nights before closing for renovations,” the statement said.
‘There will be more space available on the newly renovated first floor for live entertainment, supporting employment and other opportunities in the live music industry.’
The launch comes just over a month after the New South Wales government announced it would support the state’s hospitality industry and dwindling live music scene.
The reforms, which came into effect on July 1, provide protection against the “old NSW sport of moving in next to a music venue and complaining until it is shut down”.
Minister of State for Music and Night-Time Economy John Graham said the government would pay for up to $100,000 worth of soundproofing for 21 venues.
An additional 56 venues will receive funding of up to $80,000 for essential equipment, programming and marketing costs.
