Licencee claims adult entertainment could help boost city's economy

The Monkey Bar yesterday advised it would not continue the application process begun in May to trade as an adult entertainment venue.

Licensee Prashant Changela said they had been attempting to find a different concept that would benefit Dubbo, but it did not have the support of the owner of the Wingewarra Street property.

He said the idea had not been for "24-7 topless ladies" but instead for events after 9pm at weekends that could also boost Dubbo's economy.

Despite dropping the plans he said an adult entertainment venue would be good opportunity that would bring jobs and something new to Dubbo.

In May Mr Changela obtained a notice of intention to apply for a liquor licence or a license authorisation.

It was displayed at the premises and Dubbo City Council yesterday confirmed it had also received the notice.

Proposed activities as listed on the notice were to operate as an adult entertainment venue, including "live bands, live DJs, fashion shows/ models, exotic dancers and live comedians".

He said he had followed the process set by NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing, and informed neighbours and relevant community members of the plan.

When asked if he thought there would be concern in the community about the plans, Mr Changela said he could not say for sure, but reported receiving no responses about the displayed plans.

Mr Changela, who has been at the Monkey Bar for about 15 months, said Dubbo was missing an adult entertainment venue.

He reported that people were going out of town to Newcastle and Sydney for bucks parties and hens nights.

While away from Dubbo they spent money on accommodation, fuel, food, drinks, and more, he said.

"All that money could be spent here," he said.

He said if they had pursued a licence, they would have complied with the associated conditions, as "we've always done in the past".

He also said the adult entertainment would not have been provided all day, every day.

"It was not meant to be 24-7 topless ladies," he said.

"No local girls would be willing to work here - we would have to get them from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, which would be expensive."

Mr Changela also said both male and female recruits would have been sought.

Without the change the Monkey Bar, which has had several changes in both ownership and management in the past decade, would continue to trade as normal, but also look for new opportunities.

"We don't have pokies or gambling in the venue," Mr Changela said.

"We're not trying to copy and we're trying to come up with different ideas that will benefit Dubbo."

The licensee outlined plans to hold more events at weekends that would meet existing licence conditions.