Coasters Supermarket in Fitzherbert St was ordered to remove all alcohol from its shelves on April 24 after concerns relating to its operation were unable to be resolved.
Committee chairman Murray Clearwater said the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act was clear on what types of businesses qualified to hold an off-licence and the requirements of an applicant when seeking the granting or renewal of a licence.
‘‘One of those mandatory requirements for grocery stores is the production of annual sales revenue figures ... verified as true and correct by a chartered accountant.
‘‘The applicant has failed to provide accurate figures verified by a chartered accountant.’’
Coasters Supermarket owner Ankit Patel was required to provide verified financials for the 12 months to July 2024 to the committee by April 1.
An extension was sought and granted, until April 17.
However, on the day a set of GST returns were provided, but not all that was being sought.
Prior minutes show a refreshed statement of gross annual sales revenue were presented for the period, with food at 28.7% of net revenue and tobacco at 36.59%.
‘‘They have failed to strip excise tax from the tobacco sales, skewing the figures and effectively making them principally a tobacconist.’’
Mr Clearwater said at that time the application had ‘‘dragged on’’ since September 2024 and brought no credit to the applicant or his accountant.
‘‘Ankit Patel has brought his suitability as a licensee into question.’’
The sale and supply of alcohol from the premises was ordered to cease on April 24.
New minutes show an eleventh hour attempt was made by Mr Patel’s lawyer the day before, seeking additional time for accurate figures to be placed before the committee.
However, the committee maintained it was ‘‘highly unprofessional’’ on behalf of the accountant, as the excise tax provisions had been in legislation since 2017.
The committee was entitled to presume the “prepared accounts” did not exist.
Alcohol sales would not be permitted until the prepared accounts could be examined.
Mr Clearwater said the committee made ‘‘no apology’’ for doubting reports and requiring evidence when statements were inaccurate or incomplete.
‘‘Licensees ... must act within the parameters of the law.’’
Mr Patel’s behaviour towards the inspectorate had been ‘‘unacceptable for many years’’.
‘‘If he hopes to be able to sell alcohol at this store then he must first install a proper point of sale system
.. then have all products ... in the correct categories as prescribed in the Act.
“Once he has at least six months of trading figures he may reapply afresh and co-operate with the inspectors ...’’
- Janna Sherman
