Frederick St cafe granted liquor licence

AN innercity restaurant and cafe has been given a liquor licence despite opposition from neighbouring property owners and businesses who feared a return to the chaos associated with previous tenants.

Go Fast Hospitality Ltd has been granted a new onlicence to sell alcohol from 8am to 2am at the Joe’s Garage cafe and restaurant, in Frederick St, following a Dunedin district licensing committee hearing in April.

Bars and nightclubs have operated in the same building since 2004 and the disorder associated with those businesses led to the application being opposed by Capers cafe, Knox Church, Alexis Motor Lodge and neighbouring building owner David Linzmeyer.

The business is owned by Nick Nilsen, who also owns the Lone Star Cafe and Bar in George St.

Mr Nilsen did not respond to a request for comment yesterday.

The regular hours of the business would be 7am to 9pm but the licence would allow it to host private functions and open later when there were events on in the city, such as rugby games and concerts at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

In its decision the licensing committee found the behaviour and problems associated with the previous businesses had no bearing on the ability of Mr Nilsen to hold an alcohol licence.

There was no evidence to suggest the previous use and abuse of a laneway from George St would reappear if the licence was granted.

Conditions such as patrons leaving only from the Frederick St entrance after 9pm and ensuring the laneway was kept clean and well lit would also help reduce the impact on the surrounding area.

During his submission, Capers cafe owner Simon Niak said it was difficult to tell if the business was a cafe or a bar, but yesterday he accepted the committee’s decision.

‘‘I don’t have any beef with Nick; he’s got a young family as well and he’s just trying to make some money, but our experience of the previous businesses had been disappointing.’’

Mr Niak said he hoped there would be zero tolerance for any disorder coming from Joe’s Garage that affected any of its neighbours.

It was obvious from the comments made by committee chairman Colin Weatherall during the hearing the decision would be based on the application rather than the behaviour of the previous businesses, he said.

Knox Church minister the Rev Dr Kerry Enright said he respected the decision of the committee and the church now looked forward to a positive relationship with Mr Nilsen.