Small bar’s huge battle

It was supposed to be the hidden gem of Surry Hills’ backstreets, but already Ching-a-Lings has become the notorious face of Sydney’s troubled small bar scene.
Opened last Friday, Sydney city’s newest watering hole almost never was. The venture was nearly crippled by a lengthy development application process and extensive delays in obtaining a liquor license through the Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing
Co-owner Jack Brown said there were times when he and business partner Cameron Reid seriously considered dropping the project.
“You’re looking at a period of three to four months for a DA and then the equivalent for a liquor license,” he said.
“There was a period of two months where we thought we weren’t going to have enough money.”
The pair’s situation was worsened by their obligations to pay rent on a property that wasn’t returning an income.
Despite the NSW Government’s cheaper liquor licensing scheme coming into force last July, Ching-a-lings is only the third small bar to open in Sydney city.
Another four development applications have recently been approved by Sydney City Council.
An additional 10 Development Applications have been submitted or are expected to be submitted next month to the City of Sydney for new small bars in Glebe, Broadway, Ultimo and the CBD.
With the first of three small bar seminars held by the City in March presented to a packed out crowd, small bar advocate Councillor John McInerney admitted this reflected some confusion among potential publicans.
Invited to speak at the recent forum, Brown and Reid declined the invitation because they thought it was “a bit rich”.
But Cr McInerney blamed the inefficiency of the Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing in processing the influx of liquor licenses.
“We’re very unhappy with the role the State Government’s playing with the Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing,” he said.
“To set up a small bar you need a DA and we go through quite an extensive process to get them the DA. It can take months actually. And when we’ve finished all that the OLGR says you’ve got to start it again.
“Once you’ve been through the DA process, what else do you want to know?”
After a winning a Council appeal in March allowing Brown and Reid to set up rear lane access in Little Oxford Street, the bar will now begin a three-month trial. An exhausting ordeal, Brown admits he’s eager to get on with business.