Music News - Tobacco Law Blamed For Venue's Demise
21 August 2003 - 0 Comments
A popular live music venue will close in Auckland because of the proposed laws prohibiting smoking in bars.
Temple, in Queen St, will shut its doors for the last time in the second week of October.
Owner Karen Temple said she could not afford to keep the bar going with the expected drop in trade when smoking is banned, on top of existing problems with noise control.
The venue has battled noise complaints for several years, and a block of apartments is being built behind it.
Ms Temple said closure would result in Auckland's only dedicated live original music venue shutting after eight years and approximately 25,000 performances.
She was concerned that while the profile of New Zealand music had never been greater, the industry was losing an irreplaceable resource at grassroots level.
Renowned for its support of original music, the Temple had helped launch performers such as Anika Moa and Tadpole.
Ms Temple said the Temple was often the first point of contact for musicians as they entered the industry.
Although the new law might result in more non-smokers going to bars, they would not generate enough revenue for her to continue operating.
"My research has shown that if the legislation is passed, we would potentially have more punters but less turnover ... The cold, hard business fact is that they don't support themselves, revenue-wise."
Ms Temple predicted cover charges and drink prices would rise and noisy punters would be forced out onto the streets.
A part-owner of the Duke of Wellington pub, Mark Barrack, said he was concerned that he would be fined $4000 if a customer was caught smoking.
"Anyone could come in here and light up, but I'd be the one who is pinged."
But he was not keen to reprimand customers who attempted to smoke.
"There are some big lads that come in here ... why should I put myself in danger?"
Mr Barrack said he would even contemplate going to jail rather than pay any fines.
Where it's at:
The Smoke-free Environments Amendment Bill is due to be debated again next month.
The proposed legislation, banning smoking in bars, clubs, restaurants and casinos, was left unfinished last week.
The bill has Labour and Green support and looks likely to become law in mid-October.
Its main provisions would come into force 12 months later.
The bill imposes fines on bar owners of up to $4000 for breaches.
People would still be able to smoke on the decks and beer gardens of licensed premises.
Most Viewed Artists
Latest Galleries
NZ Top 10 Singles
- APT.
ROSÉ And Bruno Mars - DIE WITH A SMILE
Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars - BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Billie Eilish - TASTE
Sabrina Carpenter - I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
Gracie Abrams - ESPRESSO
Sabrina Carpenter - SAILOR SONG
Gigi Perez - LOSE CONTROL
Teddy Swims - A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
Shaboozey - GOOD LUCK, BABE!
Chappell Roan
More Content on muzic.net.nz
Google Site Search
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report A Problem
There are currently no comments for this article. Please log in to add new comments.