Liquor licence renewal opposed

A central Dunedin bar which had its liquor licence suspended last month after firefighters found it was severely overcrowded, has had its licence renewal opposed by a neighbouring business and a licensing inspector.

Suburbia's liquor licence was reinstated a fortnight ago, but its owner is to argue the case to keep the licence again at today's licence renewal hearing.

The licence was suspended after firefighters found the lower Stuart St bar to be severely overcrowded on May 22 after a fire alarm was activated.

Station Officer Anthony O'Neill estimated 300 people were still in the bar up to four minutes after the alarm activated on the night in question. It was licensed to hold only 160.

Dunedin district licensing committee secretary Kevin Mechen, in his report to the committee, said the "manner in which the premises is operated may be considered as questioning the suitability of the applicant to have a licence''.

The bar's owner, Ian Lindsay, also operates Brimstone in Princes St.

"The applicant has been told what the maximum occupancy of the premises is but regularly exceeds that number,'' Mr Mechen's report said.

"The staff employed do not appear to be aware of the occupancy limit, nor are they aware of the procedures to follow in the event of a fire alarm activation. This is a reflection of the poor training systems employed by the applicant.''

Police and the medical officer of health are not opposed to the licence renewal.

In his report, alcohol harm reduction officer Sergeant Ian Paulin raised concerns about the "amount of serious offences that had been linked back to the premises, including offences that occurred in the premises''.

However, he was not opposed to the licence renewal as long as a one-way door policy was implemented at 3am as part of the conditions.

Public Health South medical officer of health Dr Marion Poore said the bar should close at 3am.

She also raised concerns about the food safety standards at the establishment.

If the committee did not restrict the bar's hours then a one-way door policy should be implemented, she said.

Licensing inspector Martine Cashell-Smith said she opposed the licence being renewed because of concerns about "the safety of the premises and the staff, the licensee's attitude towards public safety and, consequently, the suitability of the licensee''.

"It is highly likely that the good order and amenity would be likely to be increased, by more than a minor extent, by the effects of a refusal to renew the licence,'' her report said.

Jude Sleeman, owner of neighbouring business Living Candles, also opposed the renewal.

Issues included finding "vomit on my windows'' and "urine and vomit seeped under my door'' when returning to her business after one weekend.

There had also been noise issues.

The renewal hearing today will be before Dunedin district licensing committee members Colin Weatherall, Cr Andrew Noone and Wayne Idour.

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