Carousel Bar in Dunedin, which has been in trouble several times for overcrowding, has been caught once again and faces the risk of a suspended liquor licence.
Dunedin police have applied to the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority to suspend the on-licence for the Stuart St venue, and are seeking a suspension of the manager’s certificate held by John Deveraux, the operator of Carousel Bar.
Sgt. Ian Paulin, alcohol prevention harm officer, said that the applications were made after the venue was found to be overcrowded “on several occasions,” including after the Pink concert in early September. In previous cases the bar, which has had a maximum occupancy of 50, had up to 150 people inside.
This isn’t the first time the bar has faced trouble. Deveraux’s application to renew the bar’s licence in 2015 was also opposed by police, citing concerns over his “suitability” as an operator given his response to cases of overcrowding and an assault at the bar. The licensing committee found that the number of patrons would have been a serious problem if the bar had needed to be evacuated, but allowed the renewal to go ahead after Deveraux agreed to look into expanding the capacity of the bar.
Carousel Bar most recently made headlines in November last year, when a 68-year-old customer died after falling down the stairs while leaving the bar in the early hours of the morning. Police confirmed that the recent application was unrelated to the incident.
