Fight to keep venue’s liquor hours

The owner of Gisborne’s ‘‘ultimate wedding venue’’ is going in to bat for it to be able to sell alcohol for two hours longer than the district’s latest local alcohol policy (LAP) allows.

Bushmere Arms, described on its website as ‘‘the most exquisite wedding venue’’ in Gisborne, has met opposition for its renewed liquor licence application on the grounds it’s seeking approval for hours outside of the LAP.

Alcohol harm prevention officer Sergeant Isaac Ngatai said police wanted to see consistency in the operating hours for all Gisborne venues. ‘‘There is the possibility of people travelling to the premises [Bushmere Arms] when all other off-licences are closed.’’

But owner Robin Pierson said that hadn’t happened in 32 years. ‘‘So you’re telling me it’s going to happen now? I don’t think so.’’

He was given two options, to reduce his hours to be in line with the LAP, or go to a hearing. His current on-licence allows him to sell alcohol from Monday to Sunday between 8am and 3am. His off-licence lets him sell alcohol from 9am to 11pm.

However, the new LAP which was approved in March set limits of 10am to 2am for on-licence sales, and 7am to 9pm for offlicence premises.

He wanted his renewed licences to keep the current hours. ‘‘The only excuse is because they want it all the same. There’s no issue now, so why change anything? That’s my attitude.’’

Licensing inspector Wendy Kitt said she had ‘‘not gained confidence’’ in Pierson’s ‘‘suitability’’ to hold a licence.

Sarwan Kumar, secretary of the Gisborne council’s district licensing committee, said it had not received any other negative feedback on the new LAP hours. It will debate the application tomorrow.

‘‘The only excuse is because they want it all the same. There’s no issue now, so why change anything?’’ Robin Pierson