Co-op News
From "Maple Street Co-op News", April/May 2008

"UpFront Etiquette (101)"
By Kelly Robson, Operations Manager, The UpFront Club

The Upfront Club has gone through many changes since it's inception, both in staffing and in management style, the most recent being the merging of Maple Street Co-op and The Upfront Club.

Many new members of the Co-op are unaware that they now are also members of the Club. They automatically receive dual membership and are eligible for a five per cent discount in both establishments.

Some things haven't changed, though. The Club still delivers great food and drinks at a great price in a co-operative and creative atmosphere. We deliver live local and out of town music, art exhibits and openings, a venue for community events and a meeting place for our valued members and guests.
We love our community, we love our freedom, and we love our Club, however we have regulations to adhere to in order to operate. These must be followed in order to maintain the freedoms that we currently enjoy. The sale of alcohol brings with it certain responsibilities - for the premises, the Licensee, the service staff and for the consumer.

The UpFront Club recently had a liquor licence inspection, and it seems timely to remind current members and inform new members of the terms of our current liquor licence:

¥ Members must show their membership cards at The UpFront Club to purchase alcohol. If a member does not show their card, staff cannot serve them alcohol (or give them a members' discount) until they show another form of identification, after which they may be signed in as a visitor or temporary member (see below). This applies to all members and staff. Remember: as there are over 1,300 financial Co-op members, staffers can't be expected to remember every financial member by sight, so please don't be offended when asked for your card. Go easy on our staff, they are members and people too, and are required by law to ask for your membership card. So, don't make it hard....flash your card!

¥ Without a valid membership card, patrons either need to be signed in as a visitor or, depending on where they live, as a temporary member. According to our licensing rules, anyone living within a 15-kilometre radius of the Club and not in possession of a valid membership card must take out a temporary membership in order to consume alcohol on our premises. This type of membership lasts until the end of trade on that day, but does not entitle the holder to a discount.

¥ Our liquor licence does not extend to the footpath in front of the Club, and it is not permitted to leave the premises with alcohol purchased at the Club. We no longer sell takeaway alcohol under any circumstances. Anyone compromising the above liquor licence laws will be asked to leave the Club. Serious fines can be levied against us for breaches; we could even have our licence revoked. ¥ Our licence is not BYO, so it is not permitted consume alcohol at the Club that has not been purchased on the premises.

¥ We have a dress code, as defined by Queensland Health and Safety: shirts for men and shoes for everyone, including children.

¥ Children (under the age of 18) at the Club must be under supervision at all times by a sober adult.

¥ Members are not permitted to use their discount for friends when they 'shout' them meals or drinks.

¥ Club staffers have an obligation under law to refuse service or instruct patrons to leave if they are deemed to be drunk, disorderly or otherwise breaching the liquor licence laws.

¥ Smoking may only take place in the clearly defined areas of the back garden and food must not be consumed in smoking areas. ¥ Alcohol service is from 11 am to 10 pm sharp; our kitchen opens for dinner at 5.30 pm and closes at 8 pm.

Hopefully this will clear up any misunderstandings. and help make the time we spend at the Club more enjoyable for all. Call us on 5494 2592 for bookings. Hope to see you there soon!

[From "Maple Street Co-op News", April/May 2008; published by The Maple Street Co-operative Society Ltd, 37 Maple Street, Maleny, Qld 4552, Australia, tel (07) 5494 2088, email maplest.co-op@serv.net.au, website http://www.maplestreetco-op.com.au]