Heff’s Hotel, a notorious bar in South Dunedin, has had its licence cancelled and its owner’s managers certificate revoked with immediate effect.
Owner Stephen Clark was less than impressed and accused police of “looking for faults.”
"What the police don't f****** understand is that this is not some f****** hob-nob wine bar in Maori Hill, where they discuss their new ride-on lawnmowers. This is a working man's pub."
Previous indiscretions involved serving alcohol on Christmas Day, a brawl after a Mongrel Mob wake and most recently an intoxicated staff member working the bar. Further police checks found a cleaner working behind the bar on her first shift on one occasion and an intoxicated Clark on another. There were also concerns about the lack of food on offer, a condition of any alcohol licence.
Sgt Ian Paulin, police alcohol harm prevention officer, confirmed the ARLA decision and said that the bar had plenty of chances of the last five years to rectify any issues.
“Mr Clark did not heed such warnings,” he said. "Holding a licence to sell liquor is a privilege that a vast majority of licensees take very seriously. This decision is not a reflection of the industry in Dunedin, but rather a single operator who was not able to manage a premises satisfactorily."
Clark said he was worried about the future of his clientele, many of whom are low income or beneficiaries.
"Police just don't like working class people getting together, having a laugh and a sing-a-long,” he said. "It is a meeting place."
However, Clark will not appeal the decision.
