The Tote to reopen within 6 months

Seventh Tipple, who own a number of other live music venues in Melbourne’s north, have negotiated a new lease on the premises with building owner Christopher Morris.

The closure of the Tote, which the previous owner claims was due to the State Government’s liquor licensing regime, prompted two protest rallies.

The first protest outside the Tote Hotel attracted 4000 people. More than 10,000 people attended a “save live music” protest march in the city.

Jon Perring, who is a partner in Seventh Tipple, told 774’s Jon Faine that pretty much nothing will change although the venue’s legendary sticky carpet has been removed.

“We’ve hired the previous band booker so it’s going to be pretty similar to what was going on,” he says.

There is still some doubt as to whether the venue will keep its name.

“We’re just negotiating that,” says Jon. “We’d like it to be called the Tote.”

He says that Seventh Tipple will be applying for an exemption from the “high-risk” license conditions that had been placed on the premises.

Venues hosting live amplified music were required to put on extra security staff under the State Government’s revamped Liquor Licensing regime.

Following the outcry over the closure of the Tote, Victorian Premier John Brumby announced the Government would soften its approach and allow live-music venues to apply for exemption from the new security requirements on a case by case basis.

“I think the Government’s learned that live music in this town is really, really important and there’s a whole lot of people in this town who hold it very dearly to their heart,” says Jon Perring.