AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL

MEDIA RELEASE

4 May 2006

Encouraging safer alcohol consumption

Bar and restaurant owners across Auckland city will attend a forum to discuss better ways of monitoring alcohol consumption.

Around 200 bar and restaurant managers are expected to attend the meeting at the Auckland Town Hall on 15 May to hear presentations from Auckland Police and Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand (ALAC). The presentations will address the problems created by people who are intoxicated and offer practical solutions to alcohol-related issues.

The Auckland City accords were established to enable bar and restaurant managers, liquor license holders and shop owners to share information on the sale and consumption of alcohol.

Jennifer Coquilhat, Safer Auckland City coordinator says the forums are a great opportunity to find ways to encourage customers to drink sensibly.

“This is the first time that bar managers and liquor license holders from across all areas of Auckland have come together to discuss problems which affect the whole community.

“The meetings address a wide range of alcohol-related issues such as host responsibility practices, noise control, customer safety, and legislative or policy changes.

“With over 1,100 bars and restaurants in Auckland city it is important that we all act together to find effective solutions to alcohol-related issues.”

Senior Sergeant Willie Taylor from Auckland Police says, “The accords are not about preventing people from drinking, they are about improving customer, staff and community safety and encouraging people to take a sensible approach to alcohol.”

Accords have been established in the Viaduct, Aotea, Parnell, Newmarket, Ponsonby and Karangahape Road areas. Anyone interested in joining the accords can contact Auckland City on (09) 379 2020.

The accord meeting will take place from 2pm to 4.30pm on 15 May at Auckland Town Hall. Liquor license holders in Auckland city are invited to attend.

ENDS

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