Bar decision reserved

Suburbia in lower Stuart St.
Suburbia in lower Stuart St.
A central Dunedin bar has voluntarily operated a 3am one-way door policy in the hopes of securing licence renewal as opposition to the operation was withdrawn.

Suburbia's application for licence renewal was heard by the Dunedin district licensing committee yesterday. The committee adjourned the hearing and reserved its finding.

The renewal was initially opposed by liquor licensing inspector Martine Cashell-Smith and neighbouring business Living Light Candles. However, both parties withdrew their opposition.

The lower Stuart St bar faced controversy last month as its liquor licence was suspended after it was found by firefighters to be severely overcrowded on May 22 after a fire alarm was activated.

The licence was reinstated a fortnight ago, but was up for renewal.

Suburbia owner Ian Lindsay said he was happy with a condition of the licence being a 3am one-way door policy and for the licence to be for only a year before it required renewal.

The bar and its staff had taken steps to address issues as they had arisen and had worked to mend relationships with neighbouring businesses, many of which were fractured because of a previous tenant, Mr Lindsay said.

Ms Cashell-Smith said she was comfortable the bar had addressed all but one concern she had raised, which related to an outdoor stage for DJs which was built without consent. However, that was also being addressed.

Commissioner Wayne Idour raised issues with advertising featuring the bar's name and some offensive slogans.

Mr Lindsay said the flyers were produced by another company who operated DJs at his bar, so he had limited control over what was published. However, he would take steps to ensure things featuring his bar's name were not offensive.

Police and Public Health South were not opposed to the renewal.

Committee chairman Colin Weatherall said a decision on the licence renewal would be made in due course.

timothy.brown@odt.co.nz

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