South Dunedin bar in trouble again

Heffs Hotel. Photo: ODT
Heffs Hotel. Photo: ODT
A South Dunedin bar previously in trouble for gang brawls and "appalling" alcohol abuse has landed itself in hot water again.

Heff's Hotel's latest issues have resulted in Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority (Arla) handing out strict punishments, including suspending its licence for a week and suspending  manager Stephen Clark's manager's certificate for six weeks.

The latest problems stem from three separate incidents, which included opening on Christmas Day last year for a meal where attendees were allowed to drink alcohol.

Police also arrived on February 23 to find the bar operating outside its licensed hours during a fund raising event where an attempt was made to break the Guinness Book of World Records for the most haircuts given in 24 hours.

On Anzac Day when police conducted a compliance check they arrived to find manager Mr Clark intoxicated.

Mr Clark told police Jessie Matheson was on duty as manager.

When police went upstairs to get Miss Matheson they found she was asleep and after waking her noticed her eyes were bloodshot and her speech slurred.

In its decision Arla brought up previous issues at the bar and noted Mr Clark should have been more aware of the rules.

"While the authority considers that Mr Clark may have been well-intentioned in providing a Christmas event for those who may not have had an alternative place to go on Christmas Day, the event circumvented one of the sacrosanct days of the year.

"As an experienced licensee and manager, Mr Clark should have known better."

It said it was  of the view the breaches demonstrated Mr Clark had "little regard" for his obligations under the law.

It was satisfied Miss Matheson was intoxicated when police visited on Anzac Day and suspended her manager's certificate for eight weeks from September 24.

Mr Clark's six week suspension runs from November and the bar's licence will be suspended for a week at the end of this month, starting on September 24. 

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