The hours in which the selling of alcohol can realistically be managed in a Turkish restaurant in Dunedin could be explored in a hearing tomorrow.
The restaurant company’s director is also set to be quizzed about obligations of a licensee, systems, staffing and training.
Well Food NZ applied for continuation of existing licence conditions for Sila Turkish Cafe, Restaurant and Takeaways in St Andrew St, but adverse reports were submitted by the licensing inspector and medical officer of health.
Police did not offer a view, the public did not raise objections and the premises are considered to be low risk for alcohol-related harm.
However, several issues were raised in a report for the hearing, including the applicant showing inadequate understanding of legal obligations and management options.
Licensing inspector Tanya Morrison noted company director Mohammed Chowdhury was the only duty manager and sometimes the sole staff member at lunchtime, and he prepared and cooked food.
"Therefore, as duty manager, it is questionable how he can manage the premises from an alcohol perspective when he is in the kitchen or elsewhere within the premises," she said.
Mr Chowdhury did not seem to understand he could manage such situations by closing the bar for periods, she said.
Ms Morrison noted the licensing hours sought were 8am until midnight, despite the business not opening before 11.30am if it opened for lunchtime trade.
Mr Chowdhury had no explanation for why he wanted the licence hours to remain as they were.
Southern medical officer of health delegate Aaron Whipp had similar concerns to Ms Morrison.
"When staffing was discussed, [Mr Chowdhury] informed the agencies he was sole charge at lunchtime, working in the kitchen as well as front of house due to the limited number of staff and costs associated with running the business post-Covid.
"I have concerns for the management of the licensed area and ongoing assessment of any patron for intoxication when the sole duty manager is in the kitchen during any trading period."
If the district licensing committee was minded to renew the licence, Ms Morrison recommended a truncated renewal period of 12 to 18 months.
