If you’ve been around the pub or bar scene in Adelaide long enough, it’s impossible not to have come across Gareth Lewis. The publican and event bar licensee has run and owned inner city venues since 2005. This year, Gareth is broadening his involvement with Adelaide, by announcing his candidacy for Area Councillor in the 2014 Adelaide City Council Elections.
Between the venues (The King’s Head Hotel and Jack Ruby Bar & Diner) and events (Soundwave Festival, Laneway) Gareth runs, he employs around 500 staff annually. In a ‘previous life’, he also had a burgeoning career in accounting. Gareth has also previously overseen licensing and operations for Parklife, Big Day Out, Future Music Festival, Summadayze, Vans Warped and We Love Sounds (among others).
He is an active ambassador of the state government’s Premium Food & Wine from a Clean Environment strategic priority program and a strong supporter of the Eat Local campaign.
What does Gareth stand for?
Gareth’s campaign aims to represent the interests of hospitality large and small, staff and owners, that of live music festivals in city parklands and that of South Australian producers.
His four key platforms are;
- Promote and encourage city businesses to support local independent producers and city users to support those hospitality and retail businesses
- A representative of the hospitality and event industry through progressive liquor licensing legislation reform for ‘bricks and mortar’ and ‘one-off’ license holders including consistency in limited license approvals
- Advocate for the growth of the live music industry through the current ‘Live Music Action Plan’ and strengthening of ties with our sister city (America’s live music capital) Austin, Texas
- Encouragement of the activation of city parklands for events and festivals
Who’s on board with Gareth?
Gareth has received overwhelming support from key people and organisation within the industries he aims to represent. Positive discussions with Restaurant & Catering SA and AHA(SA) has translated to encouragement from hotels, bars, restaurant and hospitality venues who are keen to have an experienced and successful business person with empathy for their industry influence the future direction of the city.
Gareth represents PIRSA through their Ambassador for Premium Food & Wine from a Clean Environment program and in turn an advocate for wineries, breweries, food and beverage manufacturers and primary producers all across the state.
He has also received endorsement from key people in his industry ranging from Glenn Cooper (Coopers Brewery chairman) through to AJ Maddah (Soundwave Festival boss).
Follow Gareth’s campaign via facebook.com/gjladl | twitter @gjladl
More News
