Sydney's hospitality sector is in the throes of one of its most challenging periods in decades, with downturns in discretionary spending, soaring produce costs, staffing pressures, increased rents and hiked insurance premiums prompting the closures of venues across the city. A recent casualty of this ongoing crisis is the treasured Paddington pub The Unicorn Hotel on Oxford Street — home of arguably the city's best chicken schnitty — which will call last orders for the final time in September. The loss of such an iconic stalwart is a reminder that a storied past offers little protection against harsh economic headwinds in the present — unless, of course, that history earns a venue heritage status. The NSW government is currently considering awarding heritage protections to 22 Sydney pubs and while this accolade can't prevent fiscal failures from threatening a venue's future, it can protect the bricks and mortar from being bought by developers and lost to the sands of time. Once a building receives a heritage listing, it is added to a register of protected sites that prohibit demolition or major alterations without proper state approvals. Heritage-listed buildings are also eligible for government funding to maintain them, easing the burden of such costs on already struggling businesses. Sydney already boasts a number of heritage-protected pubs with the majority located in the oldest quarters of the city — the CBD and the Rocks. However, all 22 hotels being considered for heritage status under the proposed plans are located in the Inner West and have a history of hosting live music performances. "Our Inner West pub culture has been the breeding ground for some of Australia's best and most famous musicians and performers," Inner West Council Mayor Darcy Byrne explains. "We want to make sure this continues into the future." The 22 venues awaiting approval of heritage status are: The Cricketers, Balmain The Carlisle Castle Hotel, Newtown Annandale Hotel, Annandale The Balmain Hotel, Balmain The Vic on the Park, Marrickville Cat and Fiddle Hotel, Balmain Websters Bar, Newtown Duke of Enmore Hotel, Enmore Town Hall Hotel, Balmain Royal Exchange Hotel, Marrickville Garry Owen Hotel, Rozelle Native Rose Hotel, Rozelle Livingstone Hotel, Petersham Queens Hotel, Enmore The Welcome Hotel, Rozelle 3 Weeds Hotel, Rozelle East Village Hotel, Balmain The Warren View Hotel, Enmore Dick's Hotel, Balmain Unity Hall Hotel, Balmain The Sackville Hotel, Rozelle Sandringham Hotel, Newtown Learn more about the Inner West Council's Heritage Pubs Planning Proposal on the Inner West Council website.