High-class hotel denied 24-hour liquor licence

The owners of a redeveloped hotel at the Old Treasury site wanted a 24-hour licence - the second in WA - for its bars and restaurants to service a "high-class" and "sophisticated" clientele.

But the application to be the second WA venue licensed to serve alcohol around the clock after Crown Perth was rejected by the Director of Liquor Licensing because it could contribute to alcohol-related harm and violence in the CBD. Owners of the Old Treasury buildings declined to comment on the decision.

In its application, The Treasury hotel detailed the clientele it hoped to attract through sophistication and a "pricing structure" that would also discourage those who wanted to overindulge.

It would not allow its ambience, particularly its accommodation, to be jeopardised by raucous behaviour caused by alcohol or anything else.

The $500 million redevelopment, due to open next year, has a 48-room six-star hotel at the site of the 135-year-old heritage-listed Treasury Buildings at the corner of St Georges Terrace and Barrack Street.

It wanted two restaurants and bars to operate 24 hours, including its glass rooftop restaurant.

The hotel agreed there was some local crime but said it would not increase from its "high-class nature" and "target patronage . . . being professional members of the CBD and wealthy tourists and businesspeople from overseas". But the executive director of Public Health, who said the application failed to acknowledge the potential for harm, and WA Police opposed the application.

The Director of Liquor Licensing granted an extended trading permit for the hotel's venues to operate until 2am Monday to Saturday and until midnight on Sundays.

He said the venue would be a positive contribution to Perth's facilities but a 24-hour licence was not in the public interest.