Pleasant Point bottle store application granted

Wednesday, 7 April 2021

A Timaru-based bottle store owner has been granted permission to establish a store at the site of former Pleasant Point café 'The Steamer'. (File)

An application for a Bottle-O store in Pleasant Point has been granted.

The decision, made by the Timaru District Licensing Committee (DLC), and released on Wednesday, allows Singh Trading (2016) Ltd director Mandeep Singh, who already operates a Bottle-O liquor store in Seaview, Timaru, to operate a bottle store at 57 Main Rd, Pleasant Point.

It will be the third off-licence in the small South Canterbury town with Pleasant Point Four Square and the Pleasant Point Hotel, also holding them.

Singh said he was “very happy” with the result.

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“I have spent a lot of money and time on this,” he said.

The Bottle-O store, which will operate in the former Steamer’s Cafe building will be open in about two months, he said.

Singh said he planned to move into the house behind the store with his family, and promised to employ a South Canterbury resident to help at the bottle store, to be open daily from 10am to 9pm.

“I want to be part of the Pleasant Point community. This place will become my home,” Singh said.

The application drew 12 opposing submissions, many concerned about the location of the store and the effect it would have on the amenity of the township, which has a population of about 1370.

Submitter Pleasant Point Primary School principal Mark Creba said he was “disappointed” as the decision “did not reflect the feedback of the community”.

He said it was unlikely the school would appeal against the decision.

St Joseph’s Primary School Pleasant Point principal Aroha Stewart was also disappointed.

Her submission raised concerns about the potential effects of the wellbeing of the school’s pupils, particularly as the store would be situated close to the school.

Stewart said she had not spoken to the school’s board of trustees yet and was unsure whether it would appeal the decision.

The Ministry of Health also opposed the application on the grounds that Singh had failed a Controlled Purchase Operation (CPO) in 2018 when he was managing a liquor store in Hillcrest, Hamilton, and it was worried a repeat offence could occur if Singh’s resources were stretched.

The DLC’s decision says “neither of the other reporting agencies or objectors raised any issues as to the suitability of the applicant”.

“The committee is satisfied that the applicant has made changes to their business practice, including a suitable point of access identification prompt, to mitigate concerns following the failed CPO,” the decision says.

“With regard to the pressure of owning and operating a second store, the committee is satisfied that the applicant has had thought with regard to this and has provided for a local to be employed, alongside his wife, and with the option to use staff from the Seaview store, which will enable adequate coverage of the opening hours applied for.”

The DLC also considered the community concerns about the potential increase in “antisocial behaviour”, drink-driving and alcoholism if the store went ahead.

However, the decision says “based on all the documentation before us, we consider there is no evidence demonstrating a link between the proposed premises, and alcohol-related harm”.

“We are also not convinced that to grant this off-licence would likely reduce the amenity and good order of the locality to a more than minor extent,” the DLC’s decision says.

Submitters have 10 working days to lodge an appeal.