A central Dunedin bar has had its liquor licence renewed despite a year which has resulted in a litany of complaints from health authorities, the Fire Service and a neighbour.
Suburbia's licence was renewed earlier this week after the Dunedin District Licensing Committee ruled its owners had taken steps to address the issues which had arisen during its first licensing period.
The licence was due for renewal in November last year.
However, a decision on the bar's future took months after authorities attempted to work with owner Ian Lindsay and its staff to address concerns.
During that period, the licence was suspended after an early morning fire alarm activation in May, at which attending firefighters found the bar severely overcrowded.
The licence was reinstated in June and a hearing for the licence renewal was held later that month.
A neighbouring business owner objected to the renewal, as did the Dunedin City Council's licensing inspector.
However, both objections were withdrawn ahead of the hearing.
At the hearing, committee members chairman Colin Weatherall, Wayne Idour and Cr Andrew Noone heard about the work Mr Lindsay and bar staff had undertaken to address the concerns of authorities and the neighbouring business.
In the committee's written decision, committee secretary Kevin Mechen said the committee was satisfied Suburbia now met the requirements for licence renewal.
"The licensing inspector clearly explained the matters that led to the objection and how the applicant had resolved the issues,'' Mr Mechen said.
"It was clear that the work started well before the fire alarm activation that led to the suspension of the licence in May and while this incident identified other issues, they, too, have been resolved.
"Neither the police nor medical officer of health opposed the application once the applicant agreed to impose a one-way door from 3am.''
Suburbia would be subject to a one-year licensing period, but if no further matters arose it would enter a three-year renewal cycle.
The only outstanding matter of contention was an unconsented stage installed in the downstairs area of the bar, which Mr Lindsay was addressing.
The bar voluntarily agreed to a 3am one-way door policy last November.
The neighbouring business raised concerns about music vibration from the bar damaging stock, urine and vomit at a rear door, and barriers placed on Stuart St affecting trade.
Once Mr Lindsay was informed of the issues, he contacted the business' owner to address them, they were resolved and the objection was withdrawn.
The bar's renewed licence is due to expire in July next year.
