Recent publicity of Wellington Bar owners' concern over the litigious approach to alcohol licencing highlights a greater symptom of licencing problems faced by small businesses across New Zealand.
NZABC Committee member and Brewers Association of NZ Executive Director Dylan Firth said that as a sector, we wholeheartedly support the message this group of Wellington business owners is presenting.
“Licensing agencies often appear to have no regard for the desire of communities to have a vibrant city and rarely understand the investment realities of small businesses. And at the same time, they place unreasonable blame on well-run premises for wider social issues,” said Firth.
“There is little evidence that this approach improves community outcomes.”
“NZABC wholeheartedly supports the ability for communities to raise issues and concerns about licence-holders where the evidence exists to support these concerns. But increasingly, unreasonable licence conditions are being forced onto on- and off-premise businesses with little or no evidence they will make a difference.
“This type of pressure is happening across the country and includes measures such as setting a minimum price of beer and wine sales in off-licences or the banning of specific brands. We believe this type of action is unlawful and does nothing to reduce harmful drinking.”
“Since 2010, the number of licences nationwide has declined by more than 23 percent.”
Research reveals that the vast majority of New Zealanders drink responsibly.
New Zealanders are drinking 25 percent less now than in the late 1970s. Further, harmful drinking, particularly among younger drinkers, has also fallen.
Firth continued that there was a need for a sensible, evidence-based approach to alcohol licencing. Not a sledgehammer to a nail.
“Good, experienced bar and off-licence businesses are facing ever-increasing costs and restrictions.”
Bars and the hospitality industry were decimated by the pandemic and had been told they would have the support of the Government to recover. These changes do not reflect this.
“With this approach being taken by agencies, it sure doesn’t feel like it.”
