Imperial Opening Nears with Increased Capacity

The Land and Environment Court has granted the Imperial Hotel a 12-month trial for more than 700 patrons on a Friday and Saturday night. The ruling, handed down last Wednesday, brings to an end a long-running court battle between Imperial owner Shadd Danesi and the City of Sydney.

Commissioner Brown approved an additional 236 patrons, increasing total patronage allowed into entertainment areas within the hotel to 778 for Friday and Saturday nights only as part of a 12-month trial. On other nights throughout the week the City’s ruling of 442 will apply to these areas.

The city had limited Danesi to a maximum 400-plus patrons at the refurbished Erskineville Rd hotel. Danesi has already publicly stated he intends on opening the Imperial next month – with or without the increase in numbers.

As part of the approved 12-month trial, the Court imposed a Plan of Management which includes;
* progressive shutting down of bars to provide for staggered departures;
* discouraging large groups leaving at once;
* having security direct patrons to the taxi stand and bus pick-up point, with security guards at each of these points;
* a reduction in queuing on the footpath and consequent reduction in potential noise impacts.

The City refused the application for increased patron numbers in entertainment areas in November 2008 and the owner appealed to the Court in June 2009.

Three Down, One Up. Imperial Sets Re-opening Date

The Imperial Hotel will be open by the end of November, owner Shadd Danesi has guaranteed — irrespective of the outcome of his court case against the City of Sydney.
Residents, City of Sydney representatives and officials from the Land and Environment Court met with Danesi yesterday morning at the Erskineville pub site to discuss its future.

Danesi has for months been petitioning for the council to increase his capacity limit from 442 to 788 patrons.

The Land and Environment Court will now deliberate on the matter, but Danesi has said the venue will have to open soon, irrespective of the verdict. Danesi hopes to reopen the iconic venue in late October/early November.

The meeting came as the gay and lesbian community loses a raft of other venues. The Flinders has been sold to a group of buyers who are expected to close the venue for renovations. The Midnight Shift has also closed its upstairs section for a series of renovations, and the owners of the Clarence last week announced an end to Manacle.