Venue forced to take down 'Keep Sydney Open' banner after complaints
The negative impact of gentrification hits a new level in the Cross
The Kings Cross Hotel has been forced to take down a Keep Sydney Open banner after local residents complained.
Management, who had unfurled the banner to celebrate the 'Meet Me In The Cross' multi-venue event last week, were told to take it down or face a $6000 (AUD) fine from the City of Sydney, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
A local residents group that strongly supports the lockout laws, which are credited with killing the once vibrant Kings Cross precinct's nightlife, complained about the banner, which was hung out without council approval, having a "political nature."
"We had good intentions in putting the banner up. It was about supporting a community initiative and local businesses in the area," Dan Lacaze, marketing director at Solotel, which owns the Kings Cross Hotel, told the paper.
Keep Sydney Open was formed in response to the lockout and last drinks laws imposed on central Sydney in February 2014. The group advocates for better government management to support the city's nightlife and local businesses.
Scott Carbines is Mixmag's Australian Digital Content Editor, follow him on Twitter