Newtown community blocks another bottle store

13 March 2013

Newtown residents are celebrating another community victory today, after a proposed liquor outlet withdrew its application for a liquor licence.

The District Licensing Agency received 105 formal objections to “Newtown Liquor Shop” in December, an off-license liquor outlet proposed to open on Newtown Avenue. The store would have been the fifth off-license in Newtown, and was within 100m of two existing off-licenses. Objectors received letters informing them of the application’s withdrawal today.

Newtown Community Centre coordinator Anna Costley applauds the Newtown community.

“We’re so proud of our community for taking such an active stance on this issue,” Ms Costley says. “We’re delighted that the owners have chosen to listen to the community’s voice.”

This is the second time that Newtown has successfully blocked a bottle store. In February 2012 “Vee’s Liquor Planet” also withdrew their liquor license application, citing a “crisis of conscience” after the community lodged a record-breaking 110 objections.

Wellington City Councillor Paul Eagle congratulates the people of Newtown for putting the wider interests of the community first.

“There’s a clear message from the community: booze shops are not welcome in Newtown,” Councillor Eagle says.

Wellington City Council is currently seeking public input into their draft Alcohol Management Strategy.

“We need a strategy that gives communities the power to limit the number of alcohol outlets in their own neighbourhoods,” says Ms Costley. “It’s not fair on communities to keep fighting these outlets each year.”

The Southern Ward consultation for the Alcohol Management Strategy is on Thurs 21 March from 7-9pm at St Annes’ Hall, Newtown.

www.newtowncommunity.org.nz

ENDS

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