Questions anticipated for Vault 21 at licence hearing

Doubts about staff training and adherence to a multi-bar agreement designed to curb poor behaviour are expected to be raised at a liquor licence hearing for central Dunedin bar Vault 21 today.

However, authorities such as police have not opposed renewing the Octagon tavern’s licence.

The applicant, AND Hospitality Group Ltd, is not proposing any changes to its licence.

Sergeant Ian Paulin, of Dunedin police, noted a working group of all the central city bars had its first meeting on November 4 last year and it had been agreed music volumes would be reduced from 2am and the genre would change to encourage a ‘‘happy mindset’’ for when patrons left.

However, a large fight started outside the premises on November 15, Sgt Paulin said.

The music had been loud and the disc jockey was heard swearing profusely at the end of the night, ‘‘which appeared to wind the patrons up’’.

A compliance check on February 27 this year found three intoxicated people at the bar.

The duty manager did not agree they were intoxicated, but ‘‘influenced’’ by alcohol, Sgt Paulin said.

There were congestion problems on the footpath outside the business on Friday and Saturday nights, but Sgt Paulin said the bar was generally well run.

Licensing inspector Tanya Morrison said she had doubts about ongoing staff training at the premises and the duty manager referred to out-of-date documentation.

The Dunedin District Licensing Committee decided to hold a hearing so that the applicant could respond to such concerns.

No objections to renewal of the on-licence were raised by the public.

The bars working group is to meet every three months.

Vault 21 owner Andre Shi said in February the group aimed to make the Octagon a safer place.

One initiative from it was a trespass notice applying to all the Octagon bars and Mr Shi said this should prevent serious misbehaviour, as people would be worried about the blanket ban.

grant.miller@odt.co.nz