Latest news with #CommunitiesAgainstAlcoholHarm
RNZ News
06-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
South Auckland grocery store loses right to sell alcohol
McLennan Grocery Shop in Papakura has lost its right to sell alcohol. Photo: Stuff / Torika Tokalau A store in south Auckland has lost its right to sell alcohol after their efforts to pass itself off as a grocery store was rejected, in a precedent-setting case. McLennan Grocery Store, at Swamp Kauri Grove in Papakura, was recently granted an off-licence in March by the Auckland District Licensing Committee (ADLC). However, after an appeal led by Auckland councillor Angela Dalton with the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority (ARLA), the off-licence was denied. The appeal focused on whether the shop met the statutory definition of a grocery store under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act. According to section 33 of the Act, a grocery shop was defined as a premises that emphasised the sale of food products as the principal business, and characteristics normally associated with grocery shops. Under the Act, a convenience store wasn't permitted to sell alcohol. Communities Against Alcohol Harm secretary Dr Grant Hewison said ARLA's decision will now set a precedent for future off-licence applications on grocery and convenience stores. "This decision will be welcomed by many in the Papakura community," Hewison said. "It's encouraging to see ARLA taking a firm stance on the difference between convenience stores and grocery stores to avoid alcohol being sold from convenience stores," Hewison said. He said convenience stores were often located right in the centre of residential communities and were intended to be convenient. Parliament made it clear in the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act that liquor shouldn't be sold from 'convenience' stores, Hewison said. Baj Holdings Limited applied for a new off-licence with the DLC, for McLennan Grocery Store on 3 September, 2024. The shop was formerly known as McLennan Convenience Store. The applicant stated the primary business was food sales, and agreed to conditions such as alcohol sales only until 8pm. The medical officer had initially opposed the application, but withdrew after viewing photos showing an increase in the range of food and groceries sold, and introduction of shopping baskets, after an earlier visit. With no opposition from key agencies, and six public objectors related to alcohol-related harm, the application was granted on 11 March. DLC concluded the application met the object of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, the company was suitable, the application was consistent with the Local Alcohol Policy, and the proposed hours, design, and other goods sold were appropriate. In June, councillor Dalton filed an appeal with ARLA, against the District Licensing Committee's decision for McLennan Grocery Store. Her appeal was focused on whether the premises met the statutory definition of a grocery store under the Act, and the object of the Act. In its own inspection, ARLA found the shop was not what people would consider patronising to shop for grocery items, but more to pick up items they were running out of, therefore characterising the shop as a 'convenience store'. The entrance of the shop did not suggest it was a grocery store, other than the amended signage from McLennan Convenience Store to McLenann Grocery Store. There was a large sign outside and inside with prices assigned to various goods. ARLA found none of the items listed suggested the store had as its principal business the sale of food products. They found it concerning there was limited space given on the limited range of food products like bread, fresh fruit, vegetables and fresh meat. However, greater prominence was given to other aspects of the business - drinks and takeaways. The premises had a vape store, which ARLA said was more easily aligned with a convenience store than a grocery store, and that there were only two baskets available for shoppers to use to load goods, which was also inconsistent with a grocery store. "For these reasons we consider that the appeal must succeed as we do not consider that these premises meet the requirements of a grocery store," ARLA said in its decision. "The shop certainly had aspects that could be attributed to those expected of a grocery store but those aspects appeared to be secondary to other aspects of the business that appeared to us to be correctly and appropriately those of a convenience store." - LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
29-04-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Fresh Push For New Bottle Store In ‘Worst' Location
Article – Torika Tokalau – Local Democracy Reporter Communities Against Alcohol Harm (CAAH) secretary and lawyer Dr Grant Hewison said they were prepared to do all they could to stop it from opening. A third attempt to set up a bottle shop near three schools in south Auckland is being strongly opposed by the community and advocacy groups. Russell Road Liquor has made an application to the District Licensing Committee (DLC) to operate a new off-licence bottle shop at 70 Russell Road, Manurewa. The site is the old Black Bull Liquor Manurewa – which failed to reestablish a licence twice, the most recent last year. Communities Against Alcohol Harm (CAAH) secretary and lawyer Dr Grant Hewison said they were prepared to do all they could to stop it from opening. 'This is the worst place to want to have a liquor store and a thoughtless proposal from the applicant,' Hewison said. 'This is the third time the alcohol industry has tried to open a store here since Black Bull Manurewa failed to renew their licence in 2023.' According to Auckland Council's Local Alcohol Policy (LAP), the site for the proposed shop was in a Neighborhood Centre Zone, which has added protection against new off-licences. Under their application, Russell Road Liquor applied to sell alcohol from Monday to Sunday, 9am to 9pm. Their application notice was posted in community papers on March 27. The site for the proposed bottle shop was located close to three schools – the closest, Manurewa Intermediate, was just 130m away. There were also five alcohol outlets within a 1km radius. 'It is clear from the Auckland Local Alcohol Policy that this is absolutely the wrong place to open a liquor store, in a small set of neighbourhood shops, right next to Manurewa Intermediate, and a few doors up the road from Manurewa West Primary School,' Hewison said. He said the CAAH have set up an online petition for objections, and organised a community protest outside the store. 'There have already been dozens of objections submitted from the community using our easy online Jotform tool. 'I would also expect the official agencies to be strongly opposed too, given the vulnerability of the locality, the proximity to sensitive sites, and the inconsistency with Auckland's Local Alcohol Policy.' Hewison said the policy on Neighbourhood Centres in the LAP was set up to protect vulnerable communities. '[It] was in response to community concerns about liquor stores on every corner, increasing the availability of alcohol to members of the community who are generally more at risk of alcohol harm, especially in residential areas of higher deprivation.' The previous bottle store closed in 2023 after it failed to renew its liquor licence. Two attempts after that to get a renewal were withdrawn after strong community opposition.
