The licensee of Bathurst’s Elephant & Castle Hotel has lost an appeal against its conviction for offences during a ‘ladies night’ event.
In late 2017, Liquor & Gaming NSW inspectors found two highly intoxicated women at a ‘Ladies take over’ charity function. One woman was unable to hold her head up while seated, while the other repeatedly fell over. A third woman was riding on the back of a topless male waiter serving drinks at the function.
In the NSW District Court, Judge Helen Syme dismissed Campbell Gibson’s appeal against his conviction and $2500 fine handed down in Bathurst Local Court in February.
In dismissing the appeal, Judge Syme said the sight of a woman jumping on the back of a topless male waiter at the ladies night function “served as background evidence of the lack of diligence by bar staff and that patrons were becoming unruly.”
The pub was also given a 12-month conditional release order in February for allowing a staff member to serve alcohol without a RSA card.
When questioned by Liquor & Gaming inspectors, one of the waiters did not have a valid Responsible Service of Alcohol competency card.
Liquor & Gaming NSW Director of Compliance Operations, Sean Goodchild, said the case highlights the risks of allowing high-level intoxication to happen on premises.
“Licensees who allow intoxication put patrons and others at risk,” says Goodchild. “Hotels have a responsibility to serve alcohol responsibly and to manage staff to ensure the responsible service of alcohol is practised.”
Elephant and Castle on the market
After more than 12 years in charge of the Elephant and Castle Hotel, owners Campbell Gibson and Annette Amerio listed the property for sale in January.
Gibson and Amerio purchased the Elephant and Castle in 2006, when it was known as the Tattersalls Hotel and in receivership.
In the years since, the venue has transformed into one of the most popular pubs in Bathurst, with Gibson telling the Western Advocate the key to its success had been its unique image as an alternative late-night venue.
“We started trading as a normal pub, then we gained a late-night license and from there, everything fell into place,” he said.
Gibson concluded by saying he hoped the new owners would put their own spin on the Elephant and Castle
“With hotels, you don’t really own them, you’re just given the chance to add a chapter to the venue’s book,” he said.
