A Dunedin bar has been given the all-clear to reopen after its owner distanced himself from hospitality veteran Rob Dale.
A district licensing committee hearing was convened after concerns were raised about the involvement of Mr Dale in a new bar called Terminus, set to open at the Great King St site previously occupied by The Break.
At the hearing, Ryan McKenzie distanced himself from Mr Dale, saying he would no longer be involved and it was a ‘‘stupid idea'' to involve him in the first place.
In deciding to grant a temporary licence for the bar, the committee said it was impressed with Mr McKenzie's ‘‘candour'' when answering questions at the hearing and was convinced he was a suitable applicant.
‘‘The applicant is one of the first we have spoken to who acknowledges that having an alcohol licence is a privilege, which leads us to believe he is serious about his new venture.''
Police initially raised concerns about the application over Mr Dale's involvement after learning of his debts from previous bars he had run.
Former business associates last month spoke to the Otago Daily Times about Mr Dale's string of debts, claimed to total at least $240,000, from Capone and Boogie Nites, both in Frederick St, and Urban Factory, in Great King St.
