Bar owners react to the proposed change by Tauranga City Council to bar operating hours in the CBD.
Upset bar owners fear a proposal to shut inner-city bars an hour earlier would severely damage their businesses and say it is a "kick in the stomach" to an industry already in crisis.
One hospitality owner has launched a petition to "save" the city's nightlife.
Tauranga City Council is seekingfeedback on proposed changes to the Local Alcohol Policy, which influences the opening hours of bars, restaurants and nightclubs, and when alcohol can be sold.
The proposed changes include reducing the opening hours of on-licence premises like bars and restaurants to close an hour earlier at 2am instead of 3am and establishing a one-way door restriction from 1am.
The council says the changes were aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm in the community.
But Tauranga hospitality owners say the changes would be a further blow to an industry already in crisis.
Ashleigh Gee, owner of Miss Gee's bar in Tauranga's CBD, started the "Save Our Night Life" petition, which has gained more than 600 signatures after three days.
Gee said the petition's purpose was to "raise awareness to the council that there are people in the community that feel strongly against it [the proposal]".
The petition was supported by several other business owners as the proposed change would severely damage their businesses, she said.
Gee said 12.30am to 1.30am was her business' biggest transaction hour.
"Being a late-night venue, we get a lot of crossover from the Mount.
"The one-way door from 1am would mean that basically, no one would be coming over."
Ashleigh Gee, owner of Miss Gee's, said the proposed rule changes would be devastating for bars and restaurants. Photo / Supplied
Gee, who employed six security guards to manage safety incidents in and around her bar, said alcohol-related harm was caused by a lack of police presence, not late trading hours.
The changes will also have knock-on effects for taxis, late-night eateries, motels and hotels, she said.
"Our businesses are already haemorrhaging [due to Covid-19].
"It's [the proposed policy] a kick in the stomach to someone who's already on the ground.
"We're doing our part to try and create something of the CBD to bring tourists back here. Otherwise, they'll go to Taupō or Rotorua where they can go out until 4am."
Luke van Veen said the council's proposed policy targets the wrong culprit. Photo / George Novak
Luke van Veen, who owns Papa Mo's in Pāpāmoa and Frosty & Fox Hawker House in Mount Maunganui, said the proposed change was targeting the "wrong culprit".
The real issue was people pre-drinking at home before coming into town, he said.
"On-premises alcohol providers are always targeted when people talk about alcohol harm, but we spend thousands and thousands of dollars to put systems in place to reduce harm.
"Following the law and looking after our patrons is a vital part of a good operator's business.
"We do our best to monitor situations, whereas at home people can chug a bottle of tequila in five minutes and then go out."
Cornerstone Bar owner Taute Tocker agreed and said the changes would mean he would lose half an hour of their busiest time between 12.30am and 2.30am.
Jessica Rafferty from Crown & Badger was concerned about how the proposed change would impact patrons coming from Mount Maunganui, who made up a significant part of her business.
"I think it's really unfair. With the amount of crap that this industry has been dealt lately, it's just so hard right now."
Crown and Badger owner Jessica Rafferty said the proposed change is unfair to embattled business owners. Photo / George Novak
The Tauranga City Council's Local Alcohol Policy Background Report for 2021 showed 50 per cent of all offences and incidents within Tauranga City involved alcohol.
There were 1729 estimated alcohol-related offences in the area covered by the Tauranga Police Station between August 1, 2018, and July 27, 2020.
The council's general manager of strategy and growth Christina Jones said the council worked with police, the medical officer of health and licensing practitioners before producing the draft policy.
The council also sought feedback from community groups and all current alcohol licence holders, she said.
"It's great to see community interest in this important issue and we're keen to continue the conversation."
Toi Te Ora medical health officer Dr Lynne Lane said it recommended council strengthen the policy to improve the local environment and culture around drinking alcohol.
A Toi Te Ora 2020 survey showed more than two-thirds of more than 1000 people surveyed from the Bay of Plenty and Lakes district supported restrictions on alcohol availability.
Research also showed restricting on- and off-licence trading hours had the most significant impact on alcohol harm reduction among 15- to 29-year-olds, she said.
Tauranga area response manager Senior Sergeant Glenn Saunders said each district had specialist alcohol harm prevention officers who monitored licences and worked with communities to reduce harm.
Saunders said any reduction in the hours licensees were permitted to serve was likely to correspond with reduced harm and victimisation.
"Alcohol causes significant harm in our communities, and it's no secret that its excess consumption is a major contributor to anti-social behaviour, crime and disorder.
"However, police cannot address alcohol-related offending or anti-social behaviour alone, and we ask everyone to take responsibility for themselves and their friends when it comes to alcohol.
"While most operators of licensed premises are doing so safely and responsibly, the reality is that there is still an issue with alcohol-related incidents in the early hours of the morning on most weekends."
Business owners can submit their feedback before December 20. Council hearings will be held in February or March with the provisional policy adopted in April or May.
