Perth Voice Interactive

WA’S quirky liquor licensing laws ruined a family outing to the new restaurant at the redeveloped East Fremantle oval recently, with a couple forced to eat apart so they could keep an eye on their kids.

Father-of-three Richard Pugh left an angry Google review about his experience at Carnaby’s Cafe, Bar and Restaurant two weeks ago, saying he and his wife ordered some hot food before heading to the alfresco area so their kids could have a romp in the new playground.

“Halfway through our meal, a waitress told us that they had made a mistake and that hot food couldn’t be eaten outside, as it deters people from drinking alcohol,” Mr Pugh recounted.

With an infant son and kids bikes to look after, Mr Pugh said he had to wait outside on his own while his wife trudged back into the restaurant to finish her meal.

Policies

“I know the venue has just opened and has teething issues, but I feel that they really need to figure out their policies,” Mr Pughs said.

Another visitor to the rebadged East Fremantle Community Park dropped into the Herald this week saying he’d also been knocked back getting a drink at Carnaby’s.

But he says staff told him it was as a result of the oval’s existing license not being transferred over.

A spokesperson from Belgravia Leisure, which manages the precinct, acknowledged there was a “misunderstanding” by staff.

She said Carnarby’s was operating under an occasional liquor licence that doesn’t extend to the alfresco area while they wait to see if a permanent licence is approved.

If that’s not successful, Belgravia would revert to a BYO arrangement for the alfresco area, she said.

Despite the teething problems, Carnaby’s was hitting the right buttons for plenty of other patrons and the spokesperson said the park itself had something for everyone.

The $32 million development opened on May 9 and included a revamp of the oval, redeveloped pitches and lawns for lawn bowls, football, and croquet as well as a basketball court and skate zone. There’s an off-leash dog exercise area, function rooms and gym.

“There is quite literally something for everyone something for everyone,” the Belgravia spokesperson said.

But not quite a home game for the East Fremantle Sharks, who posted an open letter to members this week saying that had now been put back a second time until July 13 due to the grass surface not being up to scratch yet.

The Sharks are also stuck with a lease condition banning fences around the oval during home games, raising concerns they’d lose revenue because punters could watch games for free from other parts of the park. But sharks CEO Andy Weltzer told The West last week he thought there was some scope for temporary fencing at big games and didn’t believe they’d take a hit.

by SIENNA DALY