Friday, Dec 13, 2019
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Rakaia liquor store given green light sue.n@theguardian.co.nz
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PHOTO SUE NEWMAN 111219-SN-0008
By Sue Newman
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THE INDEPENDENT VOICE OF MID CANTERBURY
A new stand-alone liquor store will open for business in Rakaia in spite of vigorous opposition by locals. Townill Ltd intends to open a Thirsty Liquor store at 114 Railway Terrace. Michael Brown is the sole director and shareholder of the company. He owns similar liquor stores in Darfield and Waimakariri. On October 29, at a lengthy hearing before the Ashburton District Licensing Committee, Rakaia Community Association chairman Neil Pluck voiced con-
cerns about the impact of a new liquor store in Rakaia. The town was already well served with liquor outlets at two hotels and a supermarket, he said. Based on a similar experience in Methven, when an independent liquor store opened, Pluck said the price of liquor generally dropped and stayed down, making liquor more accessible to more people. His concern was that lower prices could mean people who would not normally do so, buy hard liquor. Pluck’s objections were supported by
several fellow association members and Rakaia residents. The community was very disappointed that the liquor store had been given the green light, he said. They were also disappointed at a process that pitted a community group against legal professionals, Pluck said. “It’s grossly unfair for a volunteer community group to get caught offguard by these things when they have no experience in putting their case.”
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