Hotels Face Action If Serve Drunks

PRESS RELEASE
19 JANUARY 2007

The Alcohol Advisory Council (ALAC) says a 24-hour suspension handed out to a Queenstown tavern for serving drunks should serve as a warning to other licensees to be particularly vigilant on nights when large crowds of patrons are expected.

The Frankton Arm Tavern's liquor licence will be suspended for 24 hours this weekend, after police caught bar staff serving alcohol to drunken people who had been at a pre-season Super 14 rugby match in Queenstown in January last year.

"Licensees need to be aware that the (Sale of Liquor) Act makes it an offence not only to allow a person to become intoxicated on licensed premises but it also prohibits sale or supply to an intoxicated person and drunkenness or disorderly conduct on licensed premises - as seen in this case," said ALAC acting Chief Executive Officer Sandra Kirby.

“Although these patrons might have come from the Super 14 rugby match already affected by alcohol, bars need to be prepared to cope with sometimes large numbers of high-risk patrons. They need to be staffed adequately to scrutinise patrons for intoxication or behavioural issues ideally before they enter the premises, especially when a large event of this nature is on.”

Ms Kirby said in this case it was fortunate that a patron of the premises contacted the Police, although it was understood that there had been a minor altercation on the premises already.

"What might seem like a vibrant atmosphere can quickly turn into a dangerous environment, especially where patrons are affected by alcohol to that extent. We need to ensure that our drinking environments are safe places and managers have a responsibility to provide a safe drinking environment through the compliance and enforcement of licence conditions and provisions of the Act."

ENDS

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