Leederville Hotel’s permit for an outdoor eating area was granted without complaint—but only because vocal critic Debbie Saunders was locked out of Vincent council HQ.
The Oxford Street cafe owner has long campaigned against the hotel, complaining its drunk customers leave the street in a mess. But when she showed up to the council meeting to speak against the permit being granted she was confronted with locked doors. “Locked out at the front door, that’s the the way to enable community input,” she quipped to councillor and mayoral candidate John Carey.
Council CEO John Giorgi told the Voice a staffer forgot to set the doors to open automatically, but a colleague held them open until after public question time.
Cr Carey warned colleagues “nannyism” shouldn’t be allowed to kill off nightlife alfresco, which is popular in cities worldwide.
The hotel will be able have 30 patrons in its outdoor area until 8pm.
by DAVID BELL
Perth Voice Interactive 
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