The health authority has opposed the Alexandra Musical Society being granted a special licence to sell alcohol for 50 minutes an evening, over six nights during the society's annual production.
The musical society wants to sell alcohol at the Alexandra Memorial Theatre during Evita, which will be staged from September 27 to October 2. Patrons would be allowed to buy a drink half an hour before the show and during the interval.
Beer, wine and low alcohol beer would be sold and the society expected a crowd of 2000 over the six days. Ice creams, chips, nuts and lollies, and non alcoholic drinks would also be available.
Committee members could transport patrons home if a courtesy coach was needed but the society had sold alcohol at the show for the past 10 years and had never been called upon to transport a patron home, the application said.
The Central Otago District Licensing Committee will hear the matter on Thursday. Public Health South medical officer of health Dr Derek Bell opposed the licence because ''substantial food'' would not be provided.
''It is the view of Public Health South that there should be at the very least, one substantial food item available to the attendees of the event if alcohol is to be sold,'' Dr Bell said.
This could be as simple as sandwiches or savouries that were promoted or displayed at the bar.
''Such food would be appropriate for those attendees who would like to consume alcohol and who may be hungry, e.g. having missed having a meal prior to the event.''
Although these types of events could be considered low risk for alcohol related harm, it was the practice of all other district licensing committees in the region to ensure a food item was provided, Dr Bell said.
''Other applicants for licences at similar events do not find the provision of food to be onerous or inconvenient.''
Central Otago Licensing Inspector Ray Applegarth said police did not oppose the application ''if the food options were improved''.
Police had asked for a condition to be imposed requiring three ''substantial food types'' to be made available.
Mr Applegarth said the society would address the matters raised by Dr Bell.
