Bottle-O Cumberland has had its liquor licence renewed for another three years with amended hours, albeit for a shorter period than it would have liked.
The applicant, Brendan McCarthy, of Kitt Enterprises Ltd, initially applied to increase the store’s trading hours to 9am-10pm daily.
This was reduced to 9am-9pm daily at a hearing in November after the application was opposed by police, the medical officer of health delegate and the city’s chief licensing inspector.
The proposal also attracted two public objections, one from University of Otago proctor Dave Scott.
In the district licensing committee decision last month, secretary Kevin Mechen said the committee had decided to retain an opening time of 10am.
"The committee has considered the matters presented and does not consider it appropriate to extend the opening hours, given the location of the premises is in an area of high alcohol-related harm.
"While Mr McCarthy may be working in the premises, by his own admission the change was not to attract any more customers."
After consideration, licensed hours of Monday to Saturday 10am-9pm and Sunday 10am-6pm were imposed.
The store’s licensed hours were previously Monday and Tuesday 10am-8pm, Wednesday to Saturday 10am-10pm and Sunday 10am-6pm.
While the committee accepted that public holidays occasionally fell on a Monday, they "do not come without notice", Mr Mechen said. "People have ample opportunity to purchase their dinner drinks before the current 6pm close."
The reporting agencies all said Mr McCarthy, who had been the store’s sole operator for the past 20 years, ran "a very good business".
"The systems and processes at the premises are very good and Mr McCarthy is present when the store is open for trade.
"The premises, inside and out, are monitored by CCTV so Mr McCarthy is aware of what is going on in the area."
It was run safely and responsibly.
"The committee does not consider that refusing to grant the licence would reduce alcohol-related harm caused by overconsumption in the area."
The premises was frequently monitored because of its location and no issues had ever been identified.
The committee also heard that no deliveries took place from the premises and, to ensure this continued, any reference to deliveries would be removed from the licence, Mr Mechen said.
