Midnight alcohol curfews vex clubs

Clubs, pubs and function centres in the suburbs and rural areas of Palmerston North could face midnight curfews at the weekends as a result of the city council’s local alcohol policy.

During the week, their functions could have to wind up by 10.30pm.

While central city bars have already voluntarily put in practice the 2am closing proposed in the plan, those on the outskirts have discovered even more restrictive rules in the fine print.

The Albert, Willow Park Tavern, Awapuni Function Centre and Orlando Country Club could be among those affected, and said it would hurt their businesses badly.

Jared Rawiri, from the Albert, said the bar had not bought into the central city 2am closing because it felt it had its own local clientele, which was quite different from the central city crowds.

The Albert was continuing to remain open until 3am, as its current licence allowed.

Rawiri said it had imposed a one-way door policy from 1.30am, so they did not have to serve people moving on after being shut out of central city bars.

He understood the midnight closing could be imposed because the Albert had residential neighbours, and there were rules in the District Plan about it.

Willow Park Tavern publican Fraser Donaldson said it was unclear whether his premises would be affected because the tavern was in a commercial and industrial area, rather than a residential one. But, he was speaking out against what he saw was an inequity for off-licensed premises outside the central business district for the greater good.

‘‘The largest portion of trade for my tavern are private functions, which would be crippled.’’

Donaldson said with the majority of bars already agreeing to 2am closing, he thought the industry had done its bit to help the council’s goal of reducing alcohol harm.

And the focus on what happened at venues was out of balance anyway, in managing the sale and supply of alcohol. Only 20 per cent of liquor purchased was in bars and clubs.

‘‘About 80 per cent of alcohol is purchased outside a bar. It [the policy] doesn’t make sense.’’

Orlando County Club manager Henry Lourie said the weekday restrictions in particular would have a considerable impact on the Rangitikei Line business.

He said corporate and conference clients would be reluctant to make bookings knowing it might be difficult to wrap up presentations and functions by 10.30pm.

While some functions did wrap up by that time, he expected many customers would be nervous about whether they could comply and would go elsewhere.

There was a risk some groups might avoid bringing their events to the region at all.

Lourie said the club felt it was a responsible host, supplying alcohol only as an accompaniment to business or social occasions, rather than having alcohol as the reason its customers went there.

The council’s community development committee will hold a hearing on the draft policy, where some of the 48 submitters will speak, on October 16.