Court liquor ruling praised in the cities

File photo / Dean Purcell

A high court decision that could stop small convenience stores from selling liquor has received a mixed response from mayors.

City mayors have welcomed the decision and claim it will reduce the proliferation of alcohol outlets in the suburbs.

But Far North mayor Wayne Brown said the decision would penalise the rural community.

The move comes after the High Court at Christchurch dismissed an appeal by the Night 'n Day store opposite Christchurch Casino to be allowed to sell liquor.

The store owners had taken their case to the High Court after their application to renew their liquor licence was declined by the Liquor Licensing Authority.

Under the Sale of Liquor Act supermarkets of at least 1000sq m and grocery stores that have their main business in the sale of household foodstuffs could be granted liquor licences, but service stations and dairies could not.

But Brown said while the ruling might make sense in the cities, his district included 42 small rural towns that often depended on the local shop.

"Some of the smaller towns only have one shop and that might be the only place they can get a range of things.

"I bet they never thought about what it might do to a small town."

Auckland City mayor John Banks said arguments from store owners who claimed they needed alcohol for their business to survive were rubbish.

"There are tens of thousands of smaller businesses and corner dairies that are working hard and making a living without alcohol. I won't lose one night's sleep when we see ourselves rid of them."

Hamilton mayor Bob Simcock said the ruling was "unquestionably a good thing".