Troubled bar slapped with ban

Troubled Palmerston North music venue Bar Mode has been slapped with a two-week booze ban.

The Liquor Licensing Authority has also punished owner/operator Tane McLeay by suspending his general manager's certificate for two months.

In a decision released this week, a police officer described Bar Mode as the worst-managed premise she had seen in her 16-year career, and a supporter admitted Mr McLeay was "not the best businessman".

The case against Bar Mode and Mr McLeay was presented at a hearing in Palmerston North on April 29.

In the first liquor sting, in December, a 16-year-old volunteer entered the bar and was sold a bottle of beer without being asked for proof of age.

He returned to the bar with a 16-year-old girl last month and a barman again sold them alcohol without asking for identification.

Mr McLeay approached the pair, but only to ask how their day had been.

On April 17, two police officers saw a number of drunk and belligerent patrons at the bar, including one man who fell over a stool and a chair, but was not asked to leave.

Another patron began swearing and abusing the officers, who were asking him questions.

When asked if he had served the abusive man alcohol, Mr McLeay said he had agreed to serve the man two drinks throughout the night.

Constable Gina Atkinson said she could not understand how Mr McLeay could simultaneously serve at the bar, prepare food, provide security, check identification and fulfil his managerial obligations.

In his defence, Mr McLeay said Bar Mode was a live music and entertainment venue that continued to be "independent from liquor companies and gangs".

A number of changes had been implemented since the liquor stings, he said. These included discouraging minors, allowing staff the right to refuse service and adopting an effective age-check process.

His business had been under resourced since July last year, but Mr McLeay said he was looking at hiring a cleaning company to help ease the workload.

He was also having regular meetings with a business mentor, lawyer, and a Hospitality Association representative.

The Liquor Licensing Authority, chaired by Judge Bill Unwin, said in its decision that Mr McLeay's questions to patrons needed to be more searching than an inquiry about their day.

It also said Mr McLeay had shown an "astonishing lack of judgement and knowledge" when he agreed to serve two drinks to a clearly intoxicated patron.

Both bans will begin on July 6.

The Limbrick St Maxi Mart has been granted an off-licence by the Liquor Licensing Authority. Owners Jayesh and Tinubahin Patel now have a long-term licence. They have used temporary licences since taking over the store last year.

BURGLED YET AGAIN

Bar Mode owner Tane McLeay will fight to keep his Palmerston North music venue open, despite being the victim of four burglaries in 12 months.

Five bottles of spirits, and about $100, were stolen from the George St bar in a burglary about 4am on Saturday.

Mr McLeay said he felt something was wrong when he heard the music in the bar being turned up. When he went to investigate, the offenders had fled.

Four youths, aged between 12 and 14, were arrested in connection to the burglary. They have been referred to youth aid.

Burglaries at Bar Mode have become a common occurrence for Mr McLeay, who had about $40,000 worth of equipment stolen in three burglaries last year. To add to his woes, Mr McLeay will lose his liquor licence for two weeks, and manager's certificate for two months, in July.

But the setbacks have only made him more resolute. "I'm just as determined as ever to get things going" he said. "This place has a lot of supporters and I guess that's why I'm still here."

Bar Mode would focus on food while the liquor ban was in place, he said.