Community Board defends off-licence decision

The Linwood-Central-Heathcote Community Board plans to defend a Christchurch District Licensing Committee decision declining a Liquorland application for an off-licence in Phillipstown.

Riccarton Liquor Limited has filed an appeal against the decision on the Ferry Road site with the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority.

The Committee has found “that the locality is very vulnerable [and] contains a high number of housing units for those affected by mental illness and addiction issues, including alcohol addiction”.

Linwood-Central-Heathcote Community Board Chairperson Sally Buck.

It believes that nearby off-licences offer similar products and “this could cause competition and the possibility of undesirable consequences, such as a price war, lower prices and an increase in the consumption of alcohol leading to an increase in alcohol-related harm”.

There are 17 off-licences within a kilometre of the proposed site, including six bottle stores, two supermarkets, four taverns with off-licences, two specialist alcohol outlets, plus another three alcohol outlets.

The Authority has now granted leave to the Christchurch City Council for both the Community Board and the District Licensing Committee to be involved in the appeal hearing.

Linwood-Central-Heathcote Community Board Chairperson Sally Buck says Phillipstown simply does not need another liquor store.

“We are busy revitalising and re-energising our area, and there is no place for yet another off-licence in an already crowded market,” Ms Buck says.

“Under-age drinking and alcohol-related incidents and harm undermine community well-being.

“We will continue to work hard to defend the District Licensing Committee decision for the greater good of our local community.”

An appeal hearing date has yet to be set.