Publican: Council happy to bankrupt me

Construction work on Aotea Square has severely curtailed access to the Playhouse pub. Photo / Dean Purcell

A central city pub owner says Auckland City Mayor John Banks is not the business-friendly politician he makes out.

David Jordan, who runs the Playhouse pub in Aotea Square, said Mr Banks dumped liquor law changes this week on the basis they were unfair and would hurt the hospitality industry.

But he said Mr Banks and the council were "quite happy to bankrupt me" by not compensating him for months of disruption caused by the $81 million upgrade of Aotea Square.

Access to the pub from Aotea Centre was cut off by 3m-high barriers yesterday and access from Queen St will soon be blocked. The only access to the pub for several months will be through the SkyCity Metro building.

Mr Jordan said that when he bought the business two years ago he knew about the plans for Aotea Square, but not the extent of the work. He said he had been offered a "take it or leave it" rent holiday from his landlord from this week until June next year.

But Mr Jordan said he did not know what effect the upgrade would have on business, or whether he would still have a business next June.

He believes the best option would be to close down for three to four months. Compensation of about $300,000 from the council would cover fixed costs, including staff wages, he said.

CBD projects acting group manager Jane Farley said as far as the council was concerned Mr Jordan's problems were a matter between himself and his landlord.

The council has a strict policy of not compensating business for disruption caused by construction works.

Mr Banks yesterday said if the council started paying compensation, "where does it end?" He sympathised with Mr Jordan's predicament but said he would benefit from the upgrade.