Re: Kura ‘no’ to new bar, April 27 story.
This article summarises why Gisborne struggles to move forward. Historically this venue has been an entertainment establishment. It is in the CBD where these types of activities take place. Here is a businessman spending considerable time and investment to give citizens a choice of where to socialise.
What is a school with children doing operating in the CBD in the first place? Further, the school is in a block that already has a drinking establishment operating and has done so very successfully for many years. Surely the school does not operate in the evening hours or weekends when most patrons would frequent the proposed establishment.
As for the police opposing the application, it is repugnant that they should concern themselves with being judge and jury. Their place is to police crime — maybe that should be the focus rather than being the moral police.
If the region has such a high hazardous alcohol drinking culture as stated, that is not going to change by denying citizens a choice of venues. The root cause goes much deeper. The offenders are going to get their grog from elsewhere. I would suggest that these people probably drink to excess at home rather than at licensed premises. Maybe a complete liquor ban in the city would be what these objectors want.
The licensing committee should be proactive and encouraging development rather than being a roadblock hindering progress, giving too much weight to organisations with their own nefarious agendas.
Ben, rather than wasting your energy and money flogging a dead horse, take your investment to a community where it will be welcomed and encouraged.
Kevin Lloyd
