Opposition to application for new bottle store in Timaru

Thursday, 30 January 2025

Gordon Rosewall has questioned whether Timaru needs another off licence following an application for a licence to open a bottle store at The Showgrounds retail complex.

A group of Timaru residents is fighting against a proposed liquor store in Timaru, citing concerns over increased alcohol harm and what they say is an abundance of liquor stores in the town.

KSK PVT Limited has applied to the Timaru District Council for a new off licence to operate a Super Liquor bottle store at The Showgrounds retail complex at 233 Evans St.

If successful, the proposed store would bring the number of bottle stores in Timaru to 11.

The company was seeking a licence to trade from the proposed site, next to the St Pierre’s Sushi store at The Showgrounds, seven days a week between 8am and 9pm.

The proposed location of the Super Liquor bottle store at The Showgrounds.

Alcohol Action South Canterbury member, and Timaru resident, Gordon Rosewall said, “Do we really need another liquor store in Timaru?”

There were already “numerous liquor stores” in the town as well as liquor being sold at most supermarkets, he said.

“And, let’s face it, the more alcohol there is available the more alcohol-related harm in families, on the roads and among young people.

“We are not calling for a ban on alcohol but we are advocating for effective regulations around the supply and availability of alcohol in order to reduce alcohol-related harm.

The applicant wants an off licence to operate the bottle store at The Showgrounds seven days a week between 8am and 9pm.

“And not just in our community, but other communities nationwide. We are just looking out for the welfare of the community.“

Timaru had 10 existing bottles stores — Super Liquor Timaru, Warehouse Liquor, Liquorland Dee St, Liquorland Highfield, The Bottle O Seaview, The Bottle O Stafford St, The Bottle O Washdyke, Merchants Liquor Evans St, Thirsty Liquor Redruth and Thirsty Liquor Le Cren St.

KSK PVT Ltd was incorporated in January 2017, and Gurjeet Singh, of Geraldine, was named as the sole director and shareholder.

Gordon Rosewall said the more alcohol there is available the more alcohol-related harm in families, on the roads and among young people.

Singh’s application said he owned several other licensed premises (some in partnership) including Super Liquor stores in Dunedin, Waimate, Temuka and Geraldine, as well as the Crown Hotel in Temuka and the Village Inn in Geraldine.

Rosewall called on the community to oppose Singh’s application, and said his group was working with national organisation Communities Against Alcohol Harm to mount an opposition to it.

“This organisation makes it easy for locals to object by using a Jotform process. This is an online form that guides people through the objection.”

Communities Against Alcohol Harm spokesperson Liz Gordon said there was significant resistance to new liquor stores by South Island communities.

“There were two applications for new licences in Ōamaru last year, for example,” Gordon said.

“Both received many objections and the applicants withdrew before the hearing.”

She said local residents were concerned about rising crime rates, death and injuries on the road, family violence and the need to protect young people.

There was also a strong feeling that there were already too many places that people could buy alcohol, she said.

“Research always shows that the more liquor stores there are in an area, the more advertising, promotion and visibility of alcohol and higher rates of alcohol harm.”

Singh had been approached for comment.

Anyone wishing to object to the licence application had until February 18 to do so.