Bar owners reject early closing

Late-night Whangarei pubs and clubs have rejected Mayor Stan Semenoff's proposal to close their doors at 1am, saying the deadline is too early and a "recipe for disaster".
Alcohol-fuelled violence in Vine St plus a mass brawl in Raumanga earlier this year prompted the mayor to introduce plans for a 1am "lock-in" of city bars and the closure of inner-city carparks, popular venues for teenage drinking at 3am on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
A voluntary lock-down policy is in place in Christchurch and Rotorua where bars and pubs continue to operate their normal licensed hours but refuse entry after 2am, meaning people are unable to travel from bar to bar.
Auckland police called for a similar proposal last week - but mayor John Banks rejected it.
In Whangarei, pub operators agreed to a 3am or 3.30am lock-in during a trial early this year.
Whangarei District Council cannot legally enforce the mayor's proposal but can introduce it as a policy or bylaw after consultation with the public - an exercise which can take up to four months.
Ross Vickers, owner of Vine St's Danger Danger, said although his pub implemented a lock-in time of 2.30am during trials, patrons who couldn't find taxis were allowed in for safety reasons.
"It just didn't work because there are not enough taxis.
"I believe it's better to let people into the premises than [keep them] at the door or outside which could become problematic," he said.
Heaven Bar manager Peter Briggs said the best time for his business to refuse entry to patrons was 3.30am. "All bars have agreed to the voluntary lock-in times. We looked at our own business and thought 3.30am suits us," he said.
Mr Briggs said everything was working well since the lock-in hour came into force.
Killer Prawn manager Stephanie Weiss said although the bar closed at midnight, the mayor's proposal wouldn't work because people drank outside the CBD or hung around carparks before trying to enter nightclubs.
Mr Semenoff said although he was happy pub operators have instituted a 3am or 3.30am lock-in, he hoped they would make it 1am instead.
"Quite frankly, some of the clientele I see out at that hour [3-3.30am], when I drive past are not doing the district any favours."
Lock-in of inner-city carparks will start when equipment arrives.
Police area commander for Whangarei and Kaipara Inspector Paul Dimery said he supported the mayor and believed lock-in policies worked if liquor licensees adopted a responsible approach.