Across Australia and New Zealand, most pubs include a number of pokies. It is simply tradition, as many pub-goers enjoy sipping on a beer while spinning the reels on poker machines. Most pubs tend to attract business due to their pokies and much of their revenue is derived from the games – but a new venue is taking a different approach.
The new Sprig and Fern will not offer pokies for its players and it will not include televisions or loud music. The Sprig and Fern has recently come under new ownership by Michael Barlow and Hayley Wakeford. Together, the couple have revitalized the property, which was built in 1894.
They have chosen to keep a number of the original features of the building, including leaving the original bricks in the wall and using wood from the building to make tables and chairs. The property has also been updated to comply with earthquake codes, as they spent $100 000 on steel framing. They have decided to stray from the usual image of pubs by choosing not to offer pokies or televisions or play loud music.
They wanted their pub to have a calm, family-friendly atmosphere, creating a venue where parents would be happy to bring their children. Due to the presence of gambling, most pubs are not ideal venues for family gatherings, especially if young children are involved, but the Sprig and Fern aims to be a venue that caters to all types of patrons.
Mr Barlow notes that many pub owners have fought pokie reforms by stating that they would lose clients if they did not have pokies. However, he does not accept that argument. He believes that it is possible to have a successful pub that does not offer pokies – and the Sprig and Fern will be one of them.
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