Golf club investigated for alleged liquor licence breach
The Christchurch Golf Club was ordered to stop serving alcohol at its bar this week and is now under investigation for breaching liquor licensing rules.
It comes as the club restructures its hospitality team, disestablishing five roles and creating three new ones, to be supported by casual staff.
The cafe is now without a chef on Sundays and Mondays.
The exclusive golf club in Shirley has a cafe and bar open to members and the public. Full membership costs more than $3000 a year, while a casual 18-hole round for non-members costs more than $200.
The club holds an on-licence, which requires a duty manager to be on the premises when alcohol is being served.
The Press understands complaints have been made alleging that for up to 18 months, the club sold alcohol on Sundays and Mondays without such a manager present.
After Christchurch City Council staff visited the club on Monday, the temporary staff member working was told to stop serving alcohol.
The restructure saw two duty managers and a part-time front of house staff member made redundant. They were invited to apply for two new roles.
A new managerial role was created for Tuesday to Saturday. The successful candidate must have a duty manager licence.
The club’s proposal for change document says the new role, along with a new duty manager working Thursday, Friday, Sunday, Monday and every second Saturday, would cover all licensing requirements.
In the meantime, it is understood the roles have been filled by temporary staff from Buzz Recruitment.
Owner Ben Crossen confirmed that the company supplied temporary staff to the club to fill any roster gaps.
Crossen said he could supply licensed duty managers when required. The club did not request a duty manager on Monday, he said.
Christchurch City Council head of regulatory compliance Tracey Weston said the council had received two complaints.
“The council visited the club [on Monday]. We are currently investigating the matter,” she said.
She could not provide further details until the investigation was completed, she said.
Police were aware of the council visit and had received the same licensing complaint themselves. A spokesperson said no enforcement action was planned. “Police and the council will continue to work with the licensee ... to ensure compliance.”
Club general manager Mike Hadley declined to comment.