Police plan puzzles bar owners

Pubs within Hawera's town limits could be forced to initiate a one-way door policy after midnight if the police get their way.

In a submission to the environmental and hearings committee, Sergeant Robyn Burnett outlined the plan as part suggested changes to the South Taranaki District Licensing Agency Policy aimed at reducing liquor abuse.

However, Hawera bar owners are puzzled by the idea.

In the report, Mrs Burnett proposed that after a certain time at night patrons could leave the premises but not re-enter.

"This allows for numbers of patrons to dwindle to a more easily manageable level before closing time," she said.

Adrienne Cudby co-owner of the popular pub, Rough Habits, said the one-way door policy would adversely affect her business.

"I could understand the idea in a city with bars and pubs that are packed but we just don't have the population. There aren't that many people around at the moment."

White Hart owner Owen Leicester said that apart from the immediate expense of hiring door staff, the town's patrons tended to flow from one establishment to the next.

"If the idea was meant for someone who was applying to be open past the current licensing time of 2am that would make sense. But I just don't agree with the midnight time frame."

Mrs Burnett said in her submission that neither the public nor businesses have had time to digest the proposed changes.

She said that if the idea of a one-way door system was supported, those hours could be co-ordinated with another one of the policy's proposals, stricter street cafe permits.

The committee recommended specific consultation on the issue. Counsellor Andy Beccard said at the committee meeting that a one-way door policy would be a "huge imposition" on some the town's bars.

"I don't think it would work so why would we bother consulting on it," he said.

Committee chairman Ian Wards said he wanted to get feedback before any decision was made.

- © Fairfax NZ News