News : The Tote to reopen

The Tote in Collingwood is to re-open in six weeks, it was announced this afternoon. The re-opening was trumpeted at a closed-shop press conference at the storied rock venue. Closed to patrons since January, the musty pub hosted talk this afternoon of an opening night street festival and other hi-jinx, to celebrate the return of music to what the new operators call ‘the premier rock room in the country.’ It is not certain yet whether it will retain the name.

John Brumby was in attendance, but was coy about the prospect of real, lasting changes to the controversial ‘high risk conditions’ applied to live music venue liquor licenses around the city.

The new proprietors, Andrew Portokallis and Jon Perring, will apply for the ‘high risk conditions’ to be removed. The pair are familiar to the scene, being current operators of Bar Open, Pony and Yah Yah’s.

Perring has been visible as a player in the live music accord negotiations with the Brumby government. It was the closure of the Tote early in 2010 that galvanised many musicians and gig-goers to protest the onerous requirements of ‘high risk conditions’. The Tote could not sustain the employment of extra security guards and other costs associated with the classification.

In the months since, Perring has argued for a more nuanced policy, one that would allow for bar-by-bar exemptions — or a complete rolling back of these conditions.

A few parts of the hotel will be patched up before re-opening.

Perring and Portokallis are awaiting word from the former operators – Bruce and James Milne – about the use of the ‘Tote’ name.

Perring and Portokallis also thanked the owners – Colonial Leisure Group – for resisting the temptation to sell the site to developers.

No word yet on who will play the opening night. But expect something massive and emotional. Again.

Source: TheVine.com.au