An off-licence has been granted for Alexandra Four Square to continue to sell alcohol, despite opposition by health authorities.
The Central Otago District Licensing Committee, comprising Bob McNeil, Neil Gillespie and Michael MacAvoy, heard the matter on May 8 and its decision was made public last week.
Public Health South medical officer of health Dr Derek Bell opposed the application by Upland Foods Ltd, trading as Alexandra Four Square.
He said although the premises was advertised as a supermarket, he considered it to be more of a grocery store and therefore more likely to be visited by children.
The opposition from the Ministry of Health related primarily to the location of alcohol within the store, along the back wall, where it was ''visible and touchable from at least two main aisles'' and was between everyday grocery items, Dr Bell said.
He suggested a corner of the store he thought would be better suited to the alcohol display.
Dr Bell wanted complete separation of the alcohol area from the groceries in the store and thought more could be done to reduce the exposure of alcohol.
Moving the display would be reasonably practicable, he believed.
The applicant, Uplands director, Rhys Tait, of Alexandra, said the display units were plumbed in and could not be shifted without considerable cost.
He pointed out the area proposed by Dr Bell was close to the ice cream freezer, which was often visited by children.
Committee chairman Mr McNeil said the applicant had already relocated the alcohol from an area of high visibility to the back wall of the store.
Regardless of where the display was located, it would still be visible from some part of the shop.
''It is further noted that the Ministry of Health was seeking to have complete separation of the alcohol, and while that may be a desirable outcome from the perspective of the Ministry of Health, it is a not a requirement of the [Sale and Supply of Alcohol] act.
The committee did not believe there was any evidence to demonstrate that children visited grocery stores more than supermarkets, Mr McNeil said.
Police did not oppose the granting of an off-licence, but supported the right of the Ministry of Health to object, Senior Constable Gordon Pay said.
He highlighted a perceived conflict of interest.
He had worked with Mr Tait, who was a former policeman, but said their relationship had not affected his reporting on the matter in any way.
Central Otago District Council licensing inspector Ray Applegarth recommended the off-licence be granted.
He said the business had been operating with an off-licence for more than 13 years without any problems.
