The Dunedin District Licensing Agency hearings committee is to determine whether a temporary authority will be issued to a central city bar that wishes to continue to stay open to 5am four days a week.
Current practice is to issue temporary authorities only until 3am.
The application from Metro Bar (Dunedin) Ltd was before the committee of councillors Colin Weatherall, Andrew Noone and Paul Hudson yesterday, after police opposed the routine application because the opening hours sought were later than 3am.
The committee heard the application resulted from a change of licensee. The new licensee is Ben Hansen.
The bar's present liquor licence is for trade Thursdays to Sundays from 9am to 5am the next day.
When a temporary authority is issued, the holder has three months to apply for a liquor licence, which is usually issued until 3am.
After acting alcohol harm reduction officer, Senior Constable Ian Paulin, stated the police's opposition, Dunedin City Council liquor licensing inspector Tony Mole said he would be concerned if the company delayed its application for a licence, knowing it could stay open to 5am on the temporary authority.
However, Mr Hansen gave the undertaking he would apply for the licence within seven days, if the temporary authority was granted.
Mr Weatherall said a decision should be available on Monday.
