K Rd liquor shop can't open late

Barbara Holloway says "ideally" the new liquor store will be Karangahape Rd's last. Photo / Richard Robinson

A licence has been granted for a ninth liquor store on Auckland's Karangahape Rd - despite the protests of the local business association, which says drunken behaviour is stifling efforts to have a creative, vibrant community.

The Liquor Licensing Authority said the off-licence for 174 Karangahape Rd, opposite St Kevin's Arcade, would be limited to trading Sunday to Wednesday from 10am to 6pm and Thursday to Saturday from 10am to 9pm.

"We knew we could not stop the licence but we are heartened to see that the judge listened to our community about trading hours," said association precinct manager Barbara Holloway.

"These hours fit in with times for people to buy drink for dinner rather than people to be drinking late into the night.

"Ideally, we do not want any more."

Ms Holloway said the decision meant that one in 10 stores on the 1km stretch of road would be liquor outlets.

The successful licensee is Emkay Trading Company, which has liquor stores in Mt Albert and Onehunga.