What are the trading/operating hours of a licensed premises?
Each individual liquor licence has its own set of operating conditions (including trading hours) as a result of a resource consent or the liquor licensing process.
Every licensed premise must display their liquor licence next to the principal entrance of the building.
What do each of the designations in the sale of Liquor Legislation mean?
Restricted - No one on the premises under 18 years of age.
Supervised - 18 years or over or at any age if accompanied by parent or legal guardian. Liquor will not be sold to anyone under the age of 18. Liquor may be supplied to someone under 18 by their parent or legal guardian.
Undesignated - People of any age may be present but liquor will not be sold to anyone under 18 years of age. Liquor may be supplied to someone under 18 by their parent or legal guardian.
Can I apply for a liquor licence before my premises are finished?
Yes, the District Licensing Agency can start processing your application. No licence will be issued until you provide whatever clearances are necessary with regard to building work. You will still require a certificate of Compliance, which includes consent from the Land Lord if required before lodging of the application can proceed.
An Environmental Health Officer for the Christchurch City Council may ask you to arrange a final inspection once the kitchen is complete. In addition, you may be required to have a final inspection done by an Environmental Health Inspector for Crown Publich Health.
I have mislaid/lost my general manager's certificate, how do I get a new one?
If the certificate was issued in Christchurch you should contact the Liquor Licensing Team at the Christchurch City Council who will send (free of charge) a duplicate copy out to you.
If the certificate was issued outside of Christchurch, you will need to contact the agency who issued it.
Can I promote cheap drinks?
The promotions that you run on your premises are an important part of your approach to host responsibility. Some promotions are contrary to the objectives of the Sale of Liquor Act (section 4) in that they promote alcohol abuse. Examples of this sort of promotion would be 'all you can drink for $25', 'Caribbean night 50 cent drinks until 12 midnight'.
In general a poorly thought out promotion will encourage people to consume more than they should or to consume it more quickly than they should.
Can I drink alcohol in a public place?
Yes, you may be able to open a bottle of wine at a picnic, but not in the liquor ban areas and/or not during the times that may be specified for that liquor ban area. Some areas only have a limited prohibition on alcohol.
Drinking in public or having an open container of alcohol is prohibited in the following areas:
- Central city – at all times
- Hagley Park and environs - 10pm to 7am every day
- South Colombo – at all times
- New Brighton Mall and surrounds – at all times
- Northlands Mall surrounds - 9pm to 6am Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights
- Sumner Esplanade – from 7pm each Thursday night until midnight at the end of each Sunday night
- Jellie Park – at all times
- Spencer Park - New Year’s Eve only - 8.30pm on 31 December to 6am on 1 January each year
- Akaroa - New Year’s Eve only - 5pm on 31 December to 7am on 1 January in each year.
- Ilam and Riccarton - Temporary Alcohol Ban in place until 30 November 2011
- Papanui and Merivale - Temporary Alcohol Ban in place until 8 March 2012
Within the four avenues of the Central City, it is an offence to drink on the Avon River bank, in Latimer Square or in Cranmer Square at anytime.
Why did the Council make the Christchurch City Alcohol Control Bylaw?
An alcohol ban in the Central City, was introduced at the request of the Police.
The aim of the bylaw is to prevent the undesirable behaviour of a small section of the community who drink in public. This behaviour ranges from violent and criminal activity to vomiting and urinating in public. Without this bylaw there would be a vacuum in the laws available to prevent this. An amended bylaw came into effect in July 2009.
Can I carry alcohol home or to a BYO restaurant, through the areas where alcohol cannot be consumed in public?
Yes, provided the container is unopened, when being transported through the liquor ban area.
Am I able to drink at outdoor cafe tables?
Yes. If the area is a licensed premises under the Sale of Liquor Act and is operating within the hours permitted by the licence.
