The Tasmanian government has proposed a scheme to pay pubs and clubs back half of what they spend on live music, days after the collapse of a major Hobart hospitality group left more than 80 staff without work and shuttered seven popular venues.
Pulse can reveal acting premier Bridget Archer will write to the federal government pitching a Tasmanian Live Music Excise Rebate Pilot.
It would give participating venues a rebate worth 50 per cent of their verified spending on live performers and related costs.
“This initiative would support the hospitality industry and back Tasmania’s live music scene,” Archer said.
“Tasmanians love live music and they love their local pub – this proposal is about supporting both.”
The announcement comes after the Pub Banc Group collapsed into voluntary administration on Monday.
It forced the immediate closure of seven venues including the Republic Bar in North Hobart, Cargo Bar, Jack Greene, Post Street Social, Observatory Bar and Franklin Wharf.
Director Ian Vaughan blamed rising food, beverage, utility and insurance costs along with a shift in spending habits.
“Every reasonable option was explored with the aim of protecting jobs, preserving the businesses and maintaining the contribution our venues make to the community,” Vaughan said.
Registered liquidator Adam Johnston of Hobart firm Apex Advisory has appointed voluntary administrator, with managing director Tim Booker leading the search for a buyer for the closed Pub Banc venues.
Mark Brudenell, a member of local tribute band Australian Made, said the Republic Bar has become his home for nearly two decades and was irreplaceable.
His band had played there since around 2008 and one of its guitarists had performed at the venue since 1996.
“It is the only venue that I can think of that’s totally set up for music and it’s also compact,” Brudenell said.
He warned the city could not afford to lose dedicated live music spaces.
“We need culturally a place where people can go and have a beer or a wine, chill out and listen to some live music from some live acts,” he said.
Under Archer’s proposal, the more a venue invests in live music, the more support it would receive.
“More live music means more people through the door, more customers in town, more activity in our regions and more opportunities for local businesses,” Archer said.
