PPN's CEO was interviewed on TV about an incident outside BAR 20 where a thug elbowed a patron in the face.
The good news is that the thug has been arrested.
The bad news is that the incident has generated a lot of bad publicity for PPN's cash cow, Bar 20, prior to the VCAT hearing.
We see CCTV footage of violence all the time, especially on train stations, but the police never talk about shutting down the rail system.
Why not? With inadequate policing, Melbourne train stations are very dangerous places.
With inadequate policing, your own street can be a dangerous place.
With inadequate policing, King St can also be a dangerous place.
Are sober thugs in King St less dangerous than thugs who have been drinking? A thug is a thug is a thug! Look at one the wrong way and you will get thugged!
So why is all the focus on PPN's Bar 20 liquor licence with even the Mayor, a failed politician, getting in on the act with his self serving comments?
The real story is that PPN owns a very valuable building in King St, one of only a few not yet owned by "those who shall not be named".
With the development of Docklands and Southbank, King St has become prime real estate right under the Rialto Tower and is earmarked for re-development. So which developer made substantial donations to the former State Govt?
If Bar 20 were to move to a less controversial part of the city it may not be under the same scrutiny.
It may be time to bite the bullet, move BAR 20 to another location, perhaps Spring St right next to State Parliament, and sell the building to "those who shall not be named" for megabucks.
PPN Price at posting:
26.0¢ Sentiment: Buy Disclosure: Held