Enmore Road – Unpacking the Special Entertainment Precinct Changes!
Inside Our Latest NEBC Meeting on Extended Trading Hours!
Inner West Council, Councillors, Mayor Darcey Byrne and Deputy Lord Mayor Chloe Smith, addressing business owners.
Hello Newtown Enmore Business Community!
On Sept 9th 2025, we hosted a pivotal meeting at the Palomino Lounge, bringing together a fantastic cross-section of Enmore Road business owners, Inner West Council representatives including Mayor Darcy Byrne and Councillor Chloe Smith speaking to the Controls, and IWC Councillor Liz Atkins and City of Sydney Councillor Jess Miller in the audience. The energy in the room was palpable as we delved into the exciting, and sometimes complex, world of the Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP) changes and what they mean for our vibrant strip.
Our goal was clear: to provide clarity on Inner West Council's extended rollout of the SEPs and understand how Enmore Road, as the very first and oldest SEP in NSW, stands to benefit.
Good News for All Enmore Road Businesses: Extended Trading Hours – Now 7 Days a Week!
This is the big one! Inner West Council have confirmed: Enmore Road businesses can now trade until midnight outdoors and 2 am indoors, seven days a week, without requiring a Development Application (DA) approval!
This also applies to venues like the Warren View Hotel and Young Henry's, who can trade until 12 am, seven days a week, without needing DA approval (due to their proximity to residents, they cannot access the 2 am indoor hours).
Crucial Clarification: Live Music is NOT a Requirement!
A key takeaway from the discussion was a point of clarification that many business owners had questions about. We can confirm that you do not need to offer live music to access these extended trading hours. This applies to all businesses within the precinct – whether you're a café, a retail store, a restaurant, or a small bar. This new policy is designed to support the broader night-time economy, not just dedicated live music venues.
The Only Catch? Your Liquor Licence!
For licensed venues, the only thing you need to check is if your existing liquor licence extends to these new hours. If not, we encourage you to contact the Office of Liquor & Gaming (OLGR) to apply for an extension. Mayor Byrne and NEBC Secretary Heleana Genaus both encouraged businesses to reach out if they encounter any resistance during this process.
Bar owner Dylan Howarth, outlining his experience opening two bars, one before and one after the SEP was established on Enmore Rd, with Secretary Heleana Genaus mediating and taking notes.
Beyond the Hours: Other Key Discussions & Future Vision
While the trading hours were a major focus, our conversation also covered critical topics for the health and vibrancy of our precinct:
Communication Gaps: IWC acknowledged that information about these changes had not reached all businesses effectively. Council has committed to improving how they disseminate important updates going forward.
Nurturing our Daytime Trade: A insightful discussion, led by Dylan Haworth of Palomino Lounge, highlighted concerns about the potential 'cannibalisation' of diverse daytime businesses as more night-time venues emerge. We discussed the need for a genuine 24-hour economy and encouraged businesses to explore extending their operating hours (like Min Chai from Tokyo Lamington, who successfully opens until 8 pm to meet arvo coffee demand!) to strengthen our overall economic resilience.
Council Initiatives: Mayor Byrne detailed ongoing investments in the Inner West arts trail, Purple Flag accreditation, a new tourism strategy, and grants for business chambers and precinct beautification. Plans for pedestrianisation on Simmons Street and London Street are also progressing.
Consult on Trials: Council reiterated their approach to trial new initiatives and then seek feedback, aiming for quicker more positive process over exhaustive consultation.
King Street SEP: City of Sydney Councillor Jess Miller provided insight into their own SEP consultations for King Street, acknowledging that their controls might differ from Enmore Road's. Both Councils indicated they are working together for a unified approach to the King Street SEP. The NEBC will host a dedicated meeting on this in the coming months.
What's Next for Enmore Road?
This meeting was a powerful step forward. The NEBC is committed to:
Continuing the conversation with both local and state government on fostering a genuine 24-hour economy that supports both day and night trade.
Working hand-in-hand with Inner West Council on all economic development activities.
Supporting our members through these new changes.
We want to see our precinct thrive through a diversity of businesses, attracting visitors and locals at all hours.
We invited many business owners on Enmore Road to this meeting, including those from outside our membership, to ensure we heard more relevant voices. To stay engaged with this ongoing conversation, influence the future of our precinct, and support our collective efforts, please consider joining the NEBC as a member!
Download the Full Meeting Minutes Here:
For a comprehensive overview of everything discussed, you can download the official meeting minutes below.
Let's continue to work together to make Enmore Road the most dynamic and resilient precinct in Sydney!
Onwards,
Heleana, James, Josh, Lucy, Min and Oscar.
The Governance Committee, Newtown Enmore Business Community
