Two years into the lock-out, ‘the soul of the city has been destroyed’, claims Sydney businessman Matt Barrie in a 8000-word epic rant that has gone viral.

In the scathing report he calls Sydney a ‘ghost town’ at the hands of the nanny state going too far.

The Chief Executive at Freelancer.com describes his despair that the city is losing its identity as the State Government introduces more regulations and fines.

View photos Sydney lockout laws have turned the city into a 'ghost town'. Picture: Matt Barrie More

Not a day goes by without yet another bar, club, hotel, restaurant or venue closing, he said.

“Walk up Bayswater Road, Oxford Street or the Golden Mile and club after club is closed; not just after 1.30am, but permanently.

“A few months ago the perennial Flinders bar in Darlinghurst closed. Then the century-old Exchange Hotel shut down, which held six venues including the Phoenix, live music hall Spectrum, and the upstairs pool hall Q-Bar. Following that, the evergreen Goldfish bar in Kings Cross. Then Soho.”

View photos The once busy SOHO Hotel lights have turned off for the last time. Picture: Matt Barrie More

It’s not just the economic damage to Sydney’s bars, pubs and clubs, musicians, entertainers, hospitality staff, restaurants and cafes. It’s the whole economy around it- take-away and convenience stores, hotels and the tourism industry, Mr Barrie said.





He said taxi drivers reported their takings were down by 40 per cent because of their nighttime fares are disappearing – even before the impact of rideshare app Uber.

View photos The Flinders Hotel in Darlinghurst blamed their closure on the lockout laws. Picture: Matt Barrie More

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