Bay's booze store upset continues to rise

Mount Mainstreet manager Peter Melgren and board chairwoman Jane Debenham at the site of the proposed bottle store on Prince Ave, Mount Maunganui. Photo / George Novak

Opposition is growing to two proposed alcohol stores in Mount Maunganui and the Bethlehem Town Centre.

Arguments for and against the liquor outlets will be heard in separate hearings before the District Licensing Committee this week.

Yesterday, the application for a bottle store in a former video shop at the northern end of Bethlehem Town Centre was reviewed.

Bethlehem's situation was highlighted by Mount Mainstreet manager Peter Melgren when he spoke about opposition to the bottle store planned to go into the former lighting shop in Prince Ave in the Mount Shopping Centre.

Mr Melgren said Mount Mainstreet, representing 217 members, opposed the bottle store, as did many residents including people living in townhouses across the road from the empty shop and a nearby apartment block.

Mt Maunganui and Papamoa ward councillor Steve Morris said he understood Mount Maunganui store owners' and residents' frustration with the prospects of another liquor store.

"Because I share that frustration. It would have been helpful if council did not remove the cap on liquor off-licences then there would be some control of the proliferation of outlets out there but it's easy money," Mr Morris said.

Sandy Notman, Neon Gypsy store attendant, said another alcohol shop in Mount Maunganui would have a detrimental effect to the area.

"It would ruin the whole atmosphere of the place, we have already got the RSA, citizens clubs, all the restaurants and other alcohol stores. Why do we need another one?"

Alcohol availability was already too high and another store would just have negative affects on the younger population during the summer seasons, she said.

"There are about 13 different places in Te Puke and the problems there. Mount Maunganui is so quirky and fun with its beachy lifestyle, another store just encourages kids to preload before they go out to establishments which causes problems in itself."

A Mount Maunganui store worker, who did not want to be identified, said there was no need for another alcohol store in the Mount Maunganui precinct.

"There are so many already, a grocery or a produce store would be better option for the area, we have nothing like that down here at all," she said.

Otumoetai and Pyes Pa Ward councillor Bev Edlin said neither area needed more alcohol stores but the decision would be up to the licensing authorities to decide.

The needed to look at the location, how many other stores are in the area and where they would go, she said.

- Additional reporting by John Cousins

Street view

Massive community opposition has emerged to proposals to establish two new bottle stores in Bethlehem and Mount Maunganui. Do these centres need more alcohol shops?

"It's better to have the spaces filled with something rather than being empty shops. But if they are more chain alcohol stores, I don't see the point in that. They could be cool boutique alcohol stores which only stock local wines and beers."
— Michael Galvin, 29, Mount Maunganui

"We already have enough alcohol stores in the Mount vicinity and don't need to add more."
— Jamie Robertson, 29, Mount Maunganui

"There is already enough here, alcohol is sold all over town. We don't need more. Especially in the summer with the younger ones. It just makes it too easy to access."
— Julie Buckley, 57, Tauranga

"No, we have got enough around the place and throughout town."
— David Kohu, 90, Mount Maunganui