COVID vaccine proves bridge too far for owner of ‘world’s toughest pub’, Port Hedland’s Pier Hotel

An infamous Port Hedland pub which has been spreading vaccine misinformation for the past year has shut its doors due to the COVID-19 vaccine mandates that kicked into action on December 31. The Pier Hotel, which was once dubbed ‘the world’s toughest’ by an English journalist in the mid 1970s, took to Facebook to inform locals “the rumours were actually true”. The post said the border restrictions and vaccine mandates had forced the establishment to close down due to lack of staff. “As December 31st is the final date for hospitality workers to be jabbed, today will be our last day trading for the foreseeable future,” it read. “We are absolutely gutted that we can’t provide our valued customers with one last big night out for NYE 2021 as we’d really hoped to but unfortunately the fines we will receive from the Government don’t make it financially viable, “ the post said. The post attracted hundreds of comments from disappointed Hedlanders, with some calling for the Pier Hotel to challenge the Government’s mandates in court and others encouraging hotel staff to get the jab. “Get the fine and then take it to court. You will win because this is unlawful!!” one user commented. “Just get the jab and life goes on,” another user commented. In recent months the Pier Hotel had been vocal about its stance on the COVID-19 vaccine, sharing posters for anti-vax community freedom rallies in their venue and online. Hospitality workers fall into group two of the State Government’s mandatory vaccination policy and were required to have their first COVID-19 vaccination dose by December 31 and their second by January 31. The Walkabout Hotel also bore the brunt of social media backlash when it announced on December 29 it would no longer be accepting cash payments at the venue. The Facebook post announcing the venue would be going “cashless from today” was met with a slew of angry comments from the pub’s patrons, with some suggesting the move could see the hotel go out of business. “Good luck with your going out of business sale. Lol,” one commenter wrote. Another added “may as well go Walkabout! No cash = NO customers”. In 2021, the annual Global Payments Report by fintech company FIS predicted only 2 per cent of transactions in Australia would be cash by 2024. In 2020, 8.3 per cent of transactions were cash. In the Eastern States, concern about COVID-19 transmission through cash payments has encouraged more people to opt for card only payments. Woolworths introduced a cashless trial in 14 of its inner-city Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney stores in 2020 which was scrapped soon after due to negative feedback from customers. A staff member at the Walkabout Hotel said the hotel’s trade had not been impacted by the change. The owner of The Walkabout Hotel was unavailable for comment.