The new year will likely see a new liquor store in town as the Stratford District Licensing Committee have released their decision following a hearing held earlier this month.
In the decision released yesterday, it was noted that neither the police nor the Stratford District Council licensing inspector, Ms Rachael Otter, opposed the application. Ms Otter did recommend the imposition of two security conditions on the licence, to which the applicant - Just Liquor Limited - had no issue with.
Objectors at the hearing included Dr J Jarman, the medical officer of health for the Taranaki District Health Board. Dr Jarman expressed his concern that the bottle store would be located in an area with what he termed "high levels of socio-economic deprivation". Other objectors included the Reverend Mattock of St Andrews Church, which is located across the road from the proposed site, and Major Maureen Ashton of the Salvation Army.
In the decision, the Licensing Committee stated it was satisfied as to the competency of the applicant company and that the evidence from those in opposition was not of sufficient depth to disallow the application.
Palwinder Singh, speaking on behalf of the applicant company, told the committee that he and his business partners "are responsible people, we are responsible licensees. You can trust us."
The off license, which will be known as 'Big Barrel" will be located at Regan Street, where the Taranaki Farmers building previously stood. While the licence has now been approved, the original objectors can still appeal the decision. They have ten working days from the date of the decision in which to do this.
Big Barrel ready to roll
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