Bottle shop owner fights 6pm closing

A liquor retailer whose off-licence for a new Karangahape Rd bottle store has been restricted to 6pm closing says the terms are "biased and discriminatory".

Emkay Trading director Kam Lachhani said he would appeal against the Liquor Licensing Authority limit on trading Sunday to Wednesday between 10am and 6pm and Thursday to Saturday 10am to 9pm.

"Why are we deprived of our rights when there are about 20 off-licences in the CBD which operate until midnight and some to 1am and 2am?

"Last year about 10 off-licences were granted, with trading until midnight.

"We have not seen any off-licence with short hours in Auckland like the one granted to us."

Emkay's application was for 174 Karangahape Rd, opposite St Kevin's Arcade.

At a hearing before Judge Bill Unwin last month, a protest was registered by the local business association.

Association representative Barbara Holloway said drunken behaviour was stifling the emergence of a creative, vibrant community and this - the ninth liquor store on the road - would encourage late-night drinking in the arcade.

But Mr Lachhani said he did not understand why his store would make any difference alongside so many other liquor outlets.

"Everyone knows about K Rd ... it's famous for nightclubs, massage parlours and escort clubs which operate until 6am."

Mr Lachhani said local businesses closed at 5pm, which was when he planned to open his store, so hedid not understand how it would affect them.