By Annette Shailer
The Coogee Bay Hotel is the first Sydney pub to trial a new security system, which sees patrons go through an ‘enrollment’ process, including a photograph, a photo ID scan and a ‘finger pin’ scan.
The trial of the NightKey system began on June 4 and comes on the back of a number of initiatives introduced by the venue to help prevent intoxication and anti-social behaviour on the premises.
Along with instituting a voluntary lock-out of patrons who arrive after 2am, the hotel also offers free water, has a designated driver program and employs RSA marshals who promote responsible consumption of alcohol.
Coogee Bay Hotel general manager, Tony Williams, said that they decided to trial the NightKey system as a further measure to improve safety at the venue, which recently went down two ‘Tiers’ of the NSW ‘most violent’ list.
“As of June 1, Coogee Bay Hotel was categorised as a ‘Tier 3 Venue’ due to a significant decrease in the BOCSAR Assault Data. This meant that all the restrictions that were imposed on the hotel as a result of the Tier 1 conditions were removed,” he said.
“This is just one of many preventative initiatives that Coogee Bay Hotel has implemented. The centrepiece of the initiatives has been better customer service, where the venue provides information and works with customers well before they reach intoxication stage.”
Williams said that over the four weeks that the NightKey system has been on trial, there have been no assaults reported inside or outside the hotel.
Patrons have the option to refuse the finger pin scan process of the NightKey system and just supply ID with a driver’s licence and have their photo taken.
“At this stage the system has had a positive effect on patron behaviour. Whilst we acknowledge that the vast majority of our customers are responsible, law-abiding citizens, there will always be an element of the public that are not,” he said.
“I believe our customers understand that we are trying to provide the safest possible venue for them.
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