Whakatāne bar s hours reduced to curb alcohol harm
23 Dec, 2020 10:18 PM
3 minutes to read
Charlotte is a Local Democracy Reporter based in Whakatane.
On appeal, Whakatāne s Rhyley s Bar and Grill has been allowed to retain its liquor licence but must close at midnight – two hours earlier than other bars in the area.
Police are pleased with the outcome and are now warning other bars with upcoming licence renewals to up their standards or face the same fate.
Rhyley s had originally been declined a liquor licence by the Whakatane District Licensing Committee due to concerns raised by police about a king-hit, drunken fights, gang members abusing police, patrons from the bar lying intoxicated on the footpath as well as general noise and disorder.
However, after police voiced their opposition to Mr Waititi being granted an on-licence because of his past convictions, ownership of the business was transferred to his partner, Kelly Jones. At the on-licence hearing in October, police outlined their concerns about frequent disorder outside the bar, including nine incidents over a two-week period in June. The bar operates as a nightclub, usually only on Friday and Saturday nights. The incidents included patrons from the bar fighting, drink driving, lying intoxicated on the footpath, patched gang members abusing police, spitting, breaches of the liquor ban and empty bottles indicating preloading. The king-hit occurred during this two-week period and the victim was left unconscious on the ground outside the bar.