Wellington school fights liquor store

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Tue, 26 Jul 2011 10:29p.m.

The liquor store owner says this is the first problem he’s had with the school

The liquor store owner says this is the first problem he’s had with the school

By Laura Frykberg

A Wellington primary school is making an attempt to prevent a liquor store 50 metres from its premises from renewing its licence.

Russell School, in Cannons Creek, says it's sick of intoxicated people and broken glass threatening the safety of pupils.

Russel School principal Sose Annandale says children are affected on a daily basis “when they’re coming to school, when they're leaving from school, and during our school day when people are coming through intoxicated”.

“I don't think this is a very good role model for young school children.”

Liquor store owner Chiman Patel says he has run the store for nine years, and this is the first problem he’s had with the school.

He says the issue isn’t his store, but is a symptom of a wider community problem.

The Salvation Army says it already deals with many domestic violence situations in the area which stem from alcohol, and the store is unhelpful.

Mr Patel says he’ll fight for his licence, and his business, as long as there is demand.

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Comments

30 Jul 2011 07:16p.m.

Ruz wrote:

I agree that the number and location of alcohol retail outlets should be restricted. The first to go should be the corner dairies who as a business type seem to be the most likely to sell to the underage.

28 Jul 2011 05:48a.m.

Dan wrote:

Dan, you're probably right. This should be examined for anyone who wishes to introduce a liquor outlet within the council administered borough. But given this store was already granted the right to trade nine years ago (with no opposition) and that the store is quite possibly the livelihood of the owner, it's extremely unfair to revoke it. The council, at good gesture, could possibly assist in finding an alternative premises for him to trade in and pay for relocation expenses.

27 Jul 2011 06:07p.m.

Dan wrote:

There should be a new legislation against allowing Liquor Shop licences for shops within vicinity of Schools, Hospitals and other such public domains.

They can be present in shopping malls, near dairies etc but definitely not near any school for small children. I do not blame the shop keeper in this instance but the stupid council of that area for allowing such a licence to be granted!!! Amazing the BS that we bear from public servants botching up all the time.

27 Jul 2011 11:54a.m.

kelvyn wrote:

Of course it should have its liquor licence withdrawn and the person responsible for granting the licence should be tarred and feathered and run out of town. Here in Hastings despite the police and liquor licensing inspector recommendations against, the Spring racing carnival has had the event liquor licence renewed. This despite reports of drunkenness, violence and people vomiting at the event. The people granting these licences are bordering on the criminal in my view. They must share the results of their decisions.

27 Jul 2011 10:31a.m.

Nora wrote:

My total support goes out to Russell school, its easy to say its not the shop keepers fault and hes been there for 9 years, but when you have kids that have gone to that school and while dropping them off, you and your kids have to walk through broken glass just to get to their class, then thats another story. Im not saying just on the way to school either Im talking about, in the school, around the classrooms and on the field that kids play on. Funny too, it always seems to be the council/communities fault for why kids are doing this, where are their parents? what are they doing? do they even know what their kids are doing?

27 Jul 2011 08:17a.m.

Anne wrote:

The location of the store is in the wrong place. How many people out there would agree to have a bottle store across from their child's school!!! There are enough social issue in our community.

27 Jul 2011 06:11a.m.

Alex wrote:

If the location of the store hasn't caused any problems in nine years, then why now? My conclusion is that must a community problem, not related to the store and I don't see why their license should be denied an extension for those reasons. The council should put thought into establishing the reasons why drunk people are milling during school hours and why there is much broken glass near the school grounds.

27 Jul 2011 02:48a.m.

Paul B wrote:

ALL liquor outlets and liquor itself should be BANNED, this is where ALL the trouble in NZ is coming from,,,certainly not drugs, then again alcohol is the most powerful and addictive of ALL drugs.