A liquor licence for Flaxmere’s new Woolworths supermarket has been approved.
By Linda Hall of Local Democracy Reporting
The decision was released today after being deferred at a Hastings District Council licensing committee hearing on May 14.
Police and Health New Zealand opposed the application for an off-licence to sell alcohol.
Police said the application did not take into account that Flaxmere was “a high deprivation community vulnerable to alcohol related harm”.
Medical Officer of Health Dr Michael Radford said positioning the alcohol in Aisle 1, adjacent to self-checkout, created a thoroughfare effect, between the main body of the premises and the points of sale and was readily accessible and created a “dwell zone effect (queuing at self-checkout alongside the alcohol aisle), leading to routine and repeated exposure for shoppers, including children”.
He asked for it to be moved toward the rear of the shop.
The council’s licensing committee, however, didn’t support this.
It said moving the alcohol aisle to the back corner would increase exposure and that shoppers would have difficulty in avoiding it. It would also be less visible to staff, its decision said.
“There was no evidence presented to the committee that supported assertions that a shift of aisle will achieve the aims ... and reduce perceived problems.”
The supermarket would open on June 25. Woolworths Director of Property, Matthew Grainge, said the latest store format had lots of exciting new features.
He said they appreciated the support from the community over the liquor licence debate.
“We take our responsibilities as an alcohol retailer seriously and for our Flaxmere store, we have added extra layers of care,” he said.
The 3460sq metre full-service supermarket was to anchor the redevelopment of the Flaxmere shopping precinct, bordered by Swansea Rd, Caernarvon Drive, Pam O’Keefe Ave and Te Ara Moeke.
The site included 345sq m of specialty retail with the local Flaxmere Pharmacy moving from its current location to take up the tenancy.
Developer TW Property, Chief Executive Terry May, said they were pleased the licence had been approved.
“We saw no reason why it shouldn’t be, and we are now looking forward to the opening. It’s all hands to the pump.”
The supermarket was part of TW Property’s recently approved master plan for the Flaxmere area.
“Having a Woolworths store to help anchor that plan is crucial. We’re extremely proud of how the build is progressing and we can’t wait to see the Flaxmere community in the new store,” May said.
The store was set to feature 171 customer car parks and a covered parking area for online customers to collect their shopping.
There would be two 50kW dual plug charging units installed, servicing four EV car parking spaces.
Pre-cast concrete panels at the supermarket feature etched patterns inspired by the Flaxmere community.
The team will be led by store manager Shannon Sibley, formerly manager at Woolworths Taupō South and Woolworths Whitianga.
Discretionary conditions include that alcohol only be sold Monday to Sunday from 9am to 8pm.
This decision could be appealed to the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority within 10 working days.
– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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