A man with a vendetta against liquor licencing has frustrated a group of café and bar owners who have the intention of applying for or renewing their liquor licences.
Newtown resident Bernard O’Shaughnessy has lodged a formal objection against outlets that publicly notified their licence intentions on December 17.
But owners of the outlets he targeted say it’s clear from his objection that he doesn’t know anything about them, and is wasting their time and resources.
Craft beer specialist Hashigo Zake on Taranaki Street is one of the premises caught up in the objection, and owner Dominic Kelly says it’s delayed their process of gaining an off-licence by up to two months.
“Although it’s hard to tell, [O’Shaughnessy’s] objection seems to be directed at the so-called binge drinking that is said to be practiced in New Zealand, particularly by youth,” he says. “We definitely don’t cater to that kind of demographic, and one look around our bar will make that obvious. Binge drinkers on a budget would take one look at our menu and head for the door.”
Kelly says he applied for the off-licence because customers often ask for the opportunity to buy the rare beer he sells to take away as gifts.
“I heard was that the objection might delay things by two months, which is a long time when the product you’re trying to sell has a limited shelf-life.”
Kelly is considering legal action, because he says the objection is a matter of public record, and contains “assertions that are a slur on me and my company”.
O’Shaugnessy lodged his objection “against the following persons who have publicly notified their intentions in regard pushing booze in large quantities on the unsuspecting rate and tax payers”. Point H (of A to R) says, “The vision of the WCC and its mare (sic) in particular is wrong, as Wellington has become a drunken gay party place.”
Mojo Coffee outlets on The Terrace and at Wellington Airport have also been lumped into the objection, which targets 10 premises.
Mojo pioneer Steve Gianoutsos says it hasn’t affected the two stores, because they were just applying for an on-licence renewal, and can continue to sell liquor until the issue is sorted out.
But he understands the frustration. “If it was a new restaurant that was opening up, it could break them before they even started,” he says. “These are [O’Shaughnessy’s] personal beliefs and he’s taking them out on good, hardworking people.”
Gianoutsos doesn’t believe that Mojo café’s perpetuate the binge-drinking culture.
“There’s a massive difference between the culture we promote, to say, a bar. The latest our shops stay open are until 8pm or 9pm at night.”
Wellington City spokesperson Richard MacLean is aware of O’Shaughnessy’s objection, but says, like anyone, he has a right to object.
However MacLean says O’Shaughnessy has also requested screeds of information about issues relating to liquor licences, and in some cases the council has declined and referred him to the Ombudsman.
MacLean says, “It would be safe to say the council understands the frustration he’s causing.”