Countdown and New World could be next in the firing line over the sale of single-serve high-strength alcohol.
Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) Ōtepoti said it had objected to the renewal of the liquor licences for Countdown Cumberland St and Gardens New World.
This follows police opposition to the renewal of Pak’nSave South Dunedin and Caversham Liquor’s licences over the same issue.
"We’ve become increasingly worried about alcohol-related harm and alcohol access both here in Ōtepoti Dunedin, and more widely across our country."
"Ultimately, we believe that things have got so far off track that this issue needs to be addressed by central government, and are incredibly disappointed that the current government has failed to provide the necessary leadership and action."
In their submissions to the district licensing committee, the group sought conditions prohibiting single sales of highly concentrated RTD’s, beer, wine and cider less than 500ml at cheap prices.
New World sold a range of 500ml alcohol as strong as 8.6% on sale for as little as $3.79.
Countdown often sold single units of beer, wine and cider for less than $6.00.
It said both venues showed little to no understanding of the vulnerable communities of which the supermarkets were located in.
Countdown and New World were near the Octagon and student sector respectively, which the group said were "the highest areas of alcohol-harm in Dunedin".
New World was also in close proximity to the Botanical Gardens which was frequented by first-year students looking for spaces to drink outside of residential accommodation.
The group objected to other practices from the supermarkets, including external advertising, in-store sampling and heavy discounting.
SSDP Ōtepoti Alcohol Task Group acting spokesperson Ignatius Stucki supported the imposition of evidence-based harm reduction conditions.
"We’ve come to the conclusion that Ōtepoti Dunedin’s entire ecosystem of alcohol access and consumption is completely unbalanced, and desperately needs action."
"The excessive sale of cheap and strong off-licence alcohol, and the availability of this alcohol even late into the evening hurts our community, hurts our hospitality and live music venues, makes our entertainment areas less safe and does real damage to our city overall."
Earlier this week, in response to police objections to Pak’nSave’s licence, Foodstuffs spokeswoman Emma Wooster said the company was committed to the respectful sale of alcohol and keeping the community safe.
