Police have opposed the application, which follows the expiry of a previous licence, because they say applicant Dogtown Ltd, represented by Ian Robbins, is ''struggling to grasp some fundamental aspects of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act''.
The issues in particular were that Mr Robbins was the only duty manager employed by the business, his application was filled out poorly, he did not stock low-alcohol beer as required by regulations, he appeared to be ''a one-man band'' on smaller functions doing door, bar, food and managing the premises by himself, and music groups were allowed to collect cover charges at the door rather than a licensed security guard, police alcohol harm reduction officer Sergeant Ian Paulin said in a report to the committee.
Public Health South medical officer of health Marion Poore opposed the application because of Mr Robbins' lack of awareness and knowledge of the relevant legislation and licence conditions and his failure to understand the importance of host responsibility.
The hearing will be in Dunedin on April 11.
