Business & Trade

CASH CONSIDERED AS SURCHARGE BAN APPROACHES

Posted on September 9th, 2026 by Clyde Mooney
Pubs and other hospitality businesses around the country are considering going cash-only, as the new ban on card and related surcharges looms. For more than 20 years consumers using their own money, paying with debit cards, have typically paid the

PUB SOUNDS ALARM OVER DRINK SPIKING

Posted on September 7th, 2026 by Jane Louise
A popular Adelaide live music venue has warned partygoers to stay alert after being made aware of several suspected drink spiking incidents across the CBD in recent weeks. The Ed Castle Hotel on Currie Street issued a warning to patrons

THE PUB PROFIT PROBLEM

Posted on June 10th, 2026 by Jane Louise
Australian pubs may still be packed on weekends and central to community life, but new research suggests the economics of running a successful venue are becoming increasingly difficult. Data released by Zeller has revealed that while pubs and bars are

HOW PUBS ARE RETHINKING BOOSTING TRADE

Posted on May 18th, 2026 by Jane Louise
While Fridays and Saturdays generate the lion’s share of revenue for most pubs, for many venues those two nights alone no longer cover the rising cost of doing business. To stay viable, operators need the rest of the week to

HISTORIC PORT ADELAIDE PUB CLOSES FOR WINTER

Posted on May 4th, 2026 by Jane Louise
A well-known historic pub in Port Adelaide has shut for the winter, with its owners saying the current economic climate has made it too difficult to keep operating. Adam Vonthethoff, co-owner of Port and Vine, said the decision came after

HOSPITALITY’S HIDDEN PROFIT LEVER

Posted on April 29th, 2026 by Clyde Mooney
In hospitality, customer service is often discussed in terms of friendliness or brand reputation. But recent research from Youi highlights something more commercially powerful: service quality directly shapes how much guests are willing to spend, how long they stay loyal,

TASSY PUB LINKS BEER TO THE BOWSER

Posted on April 15th, 2026 by Jane Louise
Queenstown’s Empire Hotel, on the west coast of Tasmania, has found a creative way of encouraging locals and tourists alike in for a pint. Last week the pub began subtracting the daily per-litre price of diesel from the price of

VENUES PUSH BACK AGAINST LAX PARENTING

Posted on April 8th, 2026 by Jane Louise
While laws vary across Australia, the rules regarding minors in licensed premises are strict. Both the licensed venue and the supervising adult have responsibilities to ensure the safety and well-being of minors. The venue must strictly prevent minors from being

RBA SURCHARGE BAN: BAD FOR BUSINESS AND CONSUMERS

Posted on April 1st, 2026 by Clyde Mooney
Australia’s Reserve Bank has ruled on the future of surcharges, deciding to end the practise on card payments from 1 October, in what is described as a “political fix” for the problems facing businesses.   For years consumers opting to