The New England Hotel was named a level two venue after recording 12 incidents in a year, according to results from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research in 2012.

As part of its inclusion on the list, the hotel will face tough new restrictions from today, including ceasing alcohol service 30 minutes before closing; alcohol time-outs or providing free water and food for 10 minutes every hour after midnight; no glass or breakable containers after midnight and the hotel is required to maintain a detailed incident register.

NSW Hospitality Minister George Souris warned The New England Hotel would also be audited by the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (OLGR).

“OLGR will also conduct ongoing checks to enforce responsible service of alcohol practices and to monitor compliance with licence conditions,” Mr Souris said.

The hotel was the only licensed venue across the New England North West that was included on the list.

Licensee Dan Rice told The Northern Daily Leader the hotel had been abused since a previous owner died in 2003.

Since then the building has deteriorated and the hotel has attracted a less desirable clientele.

“We took over the hotel  late 2012 and there were many issues from last year that have contributed to this recent categorisation,” Mr Rice said.

“Some incidents have been waived, however it is something that we have to face up too.”

Despite the tough new measures now in force for the Hotel, Mr Rice is happy to work with authorities.

“We have many new systems and procedures and are working closely with police to curve violence.”

“I believe our relationship with local police is very strong.”

The hotel already closes at midnight, except for last drinks at 2.30am on a Saturday night before a 3am close.

And a 12.30am lockout is already in force.

He says a strong focus on food and beverage is starting to build a strong clientele base.

“There is still a lot of work to do and being the busiest hotel in town now and working closely with the local authorities it will be only months before the hotel is in the lowest incidents in the area.”

A renovated restaurant and fresh lick of paint outside is just the start of what’s to come Mr Rice says.

“People are starting to love the old girl again,” he said.

“A venue like this in the country attracts a large amount of transient clientele that has limited responsibility and from this I believe that at times they can misbehave or act inappropriately, which is not tolerated.”

Most of the incidents stem from Saturday nights, which is the busiest night of trade.

“Issues usually involve disputes between couples or events associated with the venue prior to or after visiting the hotel.”

There was a downward trend in alcohol-related violence across the state’s venues.

Hospitality Minister George Souris said the number of pubs and clubs that appeared on the list was the lowest since 2008 when the scheme was started.

“The latest violent venues list again confirms a continuing drop in the number of venues facing operating restrictions due to high levels of alcohol-related violence,” Mr Souris said.

Sixteen venues appear on the violent pubs and clubs list, two less that the list published in November.

“The 224 incidents attributed to venues on the list were 60 fewer than the previous list, representing a 21 per cent reduction and a new record low in the history of the scheme.”

The Ivy Hotel in Sydney’s CBD was named the state’s most violent venue with 24 recorded incidents.