Bottle-O Mosgiel, in Factory Rd, had its renewal application for its off-licence declined by Dunedin’s district licensing committee after police, the medical officer of health and the licensing inspector all opposed it.
The applicant, McCarthy Enterprises Ltd, owns and operates three other off-licence premises under different entities.
One of the store’s two directors, Patricia McCarthy was criticised at a hearing in April for submitting a late application — after being found by police to have operated illegally for four days — and for displaying a host responsibility policy "full of spelling mistakes".
"If you were taking care of your business, you wouldn’t be displaying this on your wall," committee member Karen Elliot said.
In the decision, secretary Kevin Mechen said the committee found the applicant "unsuitable to hold an alcohol licence" and the store would have three months to dispose of the stock and the business.
The committee had heard Mrs McCarthy "blame others for their failure to submit the paperwork on time", Mr Mechen said.
Mrs McCarthy also "displayed a lack of appreciation and acceptance of the legislation" despite the time she had owned and operated off-licence premises, Mr Mechen said.
"It was apparent through the hearing that the applicant’s systems and processes were flawed, which, in part, led to their failure to apply for the licence renewal on time."
The application was submitted about three weeks late, although the renewal payment was made before the deadline, but the committee granted a waiver for the late submission.
Bottle-O Mosgiel had continued to trade after the expiry date stated on the licence and before the waiver was granted and, as a consequence, was charged by police for unlicensed sales of alcohol.
Mrs McCarthy had claimed at the hearing to have only received the invoice. However, the application form accompanied the invoice in paper and by email, Mr Mechen said.
"The applicant said she completed the paperwork for the renewal of the licences, so she should have been aware of the requirements for the renewal of this licence," he said.
While the committee acknowledged Mrs McCarthy was undergoing personal stress at present, "for someone of her experience in the industry, we do not find this to be a valid excuse for the oversights demonstrated during this renewal process," Mr Mechen said.
"Mrs McCarthy should have a secure understanding of their requirements under the legislation."
The business had operated for nearly 23 years and had renewed its licence seven times before.
Mrs McCarthy declined to comment yesterday, but at the hearing she told the committee her company was intending to sell all four of its liquor stores.
