Ashburton supermarkets stay dry

Christmas liquor trading looks unlikely for Ashburton's supermarkets.

They had hoped to be able to sell liquor before the festive season, but a new off-licence could take a minimum of six weeks.

The Ashburton Trust lost its monopoly on the district's liquor sales by a margin of 295 votes last weekend, meaning the supermarkets can sell beer and wine.

- NZPA