30 July 2008

Closure of tavern sends strong message

Manukau City Council is welcoming the closure of ‘Our Local’ tavern in Manurewa for a week, saying it sends a strong message that outlets selling alcohol need to act responsibly.

Our Local, which is owned and managed by the Wiri Licencing Trust, will have its licence suspended for one week in August following a decision by the Liquor Licencing Authority in Wellington. The lost takings from the closure are equivalent of a $60,000 fine.

The suspension follows multiple inspections by the Manukau District Licencing Agency and the Police where various breaches under the Sale of Liquor Act 1989 such as fighting, drinking in the carpark, intoxicated patrons and no duty manager on the premise were witnessed. These were detailed in the application for suspension.

Manukau City Council Liquor and Monitoring Team Leader Arthur Wilkinson says the Wiri Licencing Trust’s management and chairman Alan Johnson have been slack in their responsibilities and host duties.

“Our Local has been a particular trouble spot with high levels of intoxication, fights and drinking in the carpark. Despite numerous attempts by the council and police to get the trust to fix these problems there has been little improvement.

“We decided to take this action because the trust ignored our advice and allowed the tavern to continue operating outside the liquor licencing laws.

“It is particularly concerning that this is happening in a bar run by a licencing trust. Hopefully after the closure Our Local will aim to be a responsible bar and be a positive example to others in Manukau.

“The closure is a strong and costly warning for other liquor licencees in the city to act responsibly and follow the rules, says Mr Wilkinson.

ENDS

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