The proposal by Caversham Liquor store owners Frank and Sandra Shum also sought to extend the store’s hours so it closed at 10pm every night of the week. Present closing times are: 8pm Monday-Thursday; 8.30pm Friday-Saturday; and 7.30pm Sunday.
The application was opposed by both the medical officer of health and the licensing inspector ahead of a District Licensing Committee hearing to consider the application on Wednesday.
In a letter accompanying the agenda for the meeting, Southern District Health Board health promotion adviser Toni Paterson said she found the store locked when she visited twice last year.
"However, a sign was on the door advising customers to ring the doorbell for service.
"When the doorbell is rung, a staff member from the Four Square comes across, unlocks the door and serves in this premises."
The visits led Ms Paterson to believe the licence-holders did not have a manager on duty at all times. Licensing inspector Tony Mole said he was not convinced the store was being operated separately from the Four Square store which shared the same building as was required under the Liquor Licensing Authority.
"I believe that having one duty manager to cover both licensed premises (which have different licensees) is indicative that the businesses are being operated as one."
A list of duty managers provided with the application included a combination of managers from both the Four Square and liquor shops, which added further to his belief, Mr Mole said.
The liquor store’s licence renewal was opposed in 2012 on the basis the then unlicensed Four Square store had an economic advantage caused by the liquor store.
"Four Square staff in their Four Square-branded clothing worked in the store and Four Square paper was used in the receipt process."
This meant the Four Square was effectively operating an off-licence able to sell spirits, Mr Mole said.
Both the Four Square and the liquor store were granted off-licences after the owners proved they had "separated" the businesses.
Mr Mole recommended the owners provide similar evidence on how the separation was "achieved in practice" at Wednesday’s hearing.
The owners of the liquor store declined to comment.
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And while small, independent liquor businesses get thrashed ... supermarkets do the very same thing and get away with it. Big business keeps selling huge amounts of underpriced liquor to vulnerable people, causing rampant drunkenness on the streets... but the small businesses get squashed. And the BARS get blamed by police etc for the drunkenness on streets. But those street drunks are usually happy customers of supermarkets, and they have preloaded and spent almost no money in the bars! The wrong businesses are being scrutinised and punished.