Court ruling may shelve liquor sales

Published: 6:18PM Friday July 30, 2010

Source: ONE News

Tools: Email Print Text Size

Source: NZPA

Watch Video Court ruling may shelve liquor sales (2:21)

A high court decision banning a Christchurch store from selling liquor could mean popping to your local convenience store to buy alcohol may become a thing of the past.

Since 2001, customers have been able to buy alcohol in about 50 stores around the country but this week's court decision could see an end to the practice.

Debbie Ritchie from Victoria Night 'n' Day Foodstore in central Christchurch said she wasn't expecting to lose the appeal against the Liquor Licensing Authority decision not to renew their alcohol licence.

"It's sort of gut-wrenching," she said.

But the people who control the licences are toasting the decision, especially if it means a reduction in alcohol for sale after midnight.

Paul Rogers from Christchurch Liquor Licensing said it is going to be great for the community. "It's going to help reduce alcohol abuse," he said.

But Ritchie disagreed, and denied doing any harm to the community. "They buy (alcohol) with their groceries," she said.

And she said she's not sure if the decision could spell the end of the store, saying "it's with our legal team at the moment".

The ruling is expected to dramatically reduce the number of stores selling alcohol nationwide, with only supermarkets and bottlestores having their applications approved.

"It would seem to be difficult for a store in exactly the same situation as Victoria Night 'n' Day to be able to have its liquor licence granted," said Rogers.

The head of the Night 'n' Day franchises told ONE News they are still coming to terms with the ramifications the decision may have for the whole industry.

They have 10 days to decide whether to appeal.

Tools: Email Print Text Size