The Dunedin City Council will consider a draft replacement of its local alcohol policy at a council meeting tomorrow.
A report to councillors said the proposed changes included amending the hours off-licence premises could sell alcohol to between 7am and 9pm, as opposed to 7am to 10pm, prohibiting the promotion of alcohol on the exterior of premises and a ban on new off-licence premises in an area north of the Octagon.
Chris Hart — who owns Liquorland Leith St and Liquorland Meenans, in Great King St — said it was a privilege to have a licence, and he hoped the changes were being proposed "for the right reasons".
He did not expect the changes would have much effect on his businesses and people would adapt their buying habits if the stores needed to close earlier.
"Whether it’s 10pm or 9pm, it really doesn’t impact us a great deal.
"If that’s what the authorities are after, then we’re more than happy to work with them in that space."
He believed the proposed changes to closing hours were based on opinion and it was "nonsensical" if the council thought the present hours were part of the issue.
"It’s not based on any fact that someone suddenly feels an impulse to race out at five [minutes] to 10 to get another box because they’re short.
"They’ve already done their hard work previously, because students’ habits ... they get in early, they have a box and then they go to town to a club.
"So their reasoning on that is pretty baseless, but we have to accept it, because that’s what they believe."
Students for Sensible Drug Policy Otepoti president Max Phillips said 9pm for off-licences was not early enough.
"I’ve talked to students who openly admit that they get trashed in their flats or side-load, and then go into town without any intention of buying a single drink at an on-licensed venue.
"In the vast majority of cases it’s not our on-licences that are creating the problem. They’re just cleaning up the mess from pre- or side-loaded off-licence alcohol."
A ban on new off-licences in the area was "absolutely essential" and the changes overall were a step in the right direction, albeit the bare minimum, he said.
The proposal would also require club managers to be present on site after 5pm or when the number of patrons exceeded 50.
It would result in on-licence opening hours being pushed back an hour to 9am but no changes to when they closed.
Andre Shi — who owns Vault 21, Prohibition Smokehouse, Catacombs Nightclub, Deja Vu and Graze and Glow — said he welcomed the proposed policy and was pleased that on-licence closing times had not been changed.
"I think if we push any earlier closing-wise, that will basically kill the town for nightlife."
Having spaces that catered to students other than flat parties was "crucial", he said.
