The Wolf Club in Manukau's Cavendish Drive. Photo / LDR
A nightclub that was expected to close for good last year after being linked to a shooting is back in business after a change of name and ownership.
And Grant Rimmer, who owns an adjoining commercial property in Cavendish Drive, South Auckland, says he feels let down by the Auckland Council over the matter.
He said he is concerned the new Wolf Club's owners are still operating without the necessary consents and still only have a temporary liquor licence.
The new owner says they are "not causing any issues" and are taking steps to avoid a repeat of problems which occurred under the previous operator, when the business was run as Vava'u Lahi Night Club.
Rimmer is representing a number of local property owners who opposed the previous nightclub's licence renewal last year.
"The new people have come in on the back of the Vava'u Lahi Night Club's licence and have continued to trade. It should never have been allowed to happen in the first place," he said. "It's been a four-year nightmare."
"A nightclub should never have been permitted here."
The Vava'u Lahi Night Club's owners originally sought to renew its licence in 2017, but that was opposed by police following a gang-related shooting outside the club.
Police said there had been a number of incidents involving intoxicated patrons and disorderly behaviour in the 12 months before the licence renewal bid. Documents from last year's District Licensing Committee hearing showed an ongoing litany of complaints.
Then in August last year the then owners of the club sought a temporary licence so it could be sold as a going concern.
Under the agreement the new owner could then apply for a temporary authority to allow them to keep trading under the terms of the existing licence, giving them up to nine months to get their own licence.
The new proprietors renamed the venue the Wolf Club and it opened for business in October.
Owner Mavis Wolfgramm said she's keen to make sure she doesn't make the same mistakes the previous operators did.
"We said to the other businesses if you have any problems, let us know and we will sort it out. We want to make sure there aren't any problems like there were with the previous owners," Wolfgramm said.
"It's a legal business and we're not causing any issues."
But she confirmed the club needs to get retrospective building and planning consents to allow it to continue operating.
Wolfgramm said she is well aware of Rimmer's opposition to the nightclub.
"But we want to sit down with him and sort something out instead of using our lawyers," she said.
"We only operate on Fridays and Saturdays between 10pm and 3am and none of the other shops are even open at that time."
Wolfgramm said the club has hired extra security to prevent people drinking in the carpark and is paying for cleaners to clean up the site on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Auckland Council manager of alcohol licensing and environmental health Mervyn Chetty said the Wolf Club's owners are currently applying for a liquor licence for the venue.
"As part of this process, the company requires a building and planning certificate which takes into account factors such as fire egress, toilets, occupancy levels and car parking."
Chetty said the reported incidents related to the previous operator.
"While operating under a temporary licence, applicants must continue to progress with their licence application. If there is deemed to be a lack of progress, council inspectors may follow up with the applicant to get a better understanding of what is causing the delay.
"If the reason given is not satisfactory, it is likely the licence application will be opposed, and the applicant will need to appear at a hearing with the District Licensing Committee."
He said the Wolf Club's temporary authority is only valid until July 21.
Firefighters remain at the scene two days later dealing with flare-ups.