Mr Granjas was reluctant to talk about his plans until he had a licence. But he did say the building would be ideal for a liquor store, with lots of parking and he might also need to build a warehouse.
The third application, recently advertised in the Chronicle, is from Big Barrel Enterprises Ltd, for a liquor store in the former Leader & Watt building in Victoria Ave's top block.
The application was by Palwinder Singh, who said he had been selling alcohol in Hawke's Bay for eight or nine years. He did not want to talk about his plans until he had a licence.
Whanganui police were not available to comment on the applications when the Chronicle called earlier this week.
Applications to sell alcohol went first to local authorities, Mr Bonner said, and anyone could go to the Wanganui District Council offices and ask to see them.
People asking for a licence had to meet certain criteria under the 1989 Sale of Liquor Act. The location had to fit with council zoning and the building had to be suitable.
Mr Bonner would then assess the application, to see whether the applicant had experience and a good record with selling liquor, knew the law, set the right age limits and hours, and had a business plan. He would then get a report from police.
If all seemed acceptable the applicant could advertise and the public had a chance to object.
"It's really up to the applicant to convince us that they are a suitable to hold a licence," Mr Bonner said.
If there were legitimate objections from the public, police or himself the decision would be made in Wellington, either after a hearing or on the basis of written information. If there were no objections the decision was made in Wanganui.
In the Wanganui district, the sale of liquor is permitted within the commercial zone.
Wanganui District Council could, if it wished, adopt a policy of limiting the number of liquor outlets, or it could use its district plan to limit them.
But that would need to be debated and agreed by councillors first, he said.
