Media release from Hospitality NZ

Key bar owners meet to discuss CBD

A group of 20 key Auckland inner city bar owners met with Auckland Council Licencing yesterday to discuss how they can assist in working towards a safer CBD. The meeting was called by industry association Hospitality New Zealand as a follow up from the Mayoral Task Force Forum held by Len Brown last month, in a bid to address alcohol and safety on Auckland’s streets at night. “A lot of the publicity around the behavioural problems in the CBD has been focused on the bars” said Hospitality NZ Representative, Nadine Mehlhopt, “but it has now been recognised through the Mayoral Task Force that consuming low cost drinks at home, in car parks and on the streets is the major factor”.

Inner city bar operators are committed to working together with Council and Police and most are already doing their part by not allowing intoxicated people in to their premises and having excellent host responsibility policies and practises. Operators agreed yesterday that they would work closer together by coordinating communication between their neighbouring bars.

Limited re-entry in to bars was another option raised. Some customers are entering bars, then leaving to go and drink large amounts of cheap alcohol purchased from an off-licence, before re-entering the same bar to enjoy the entertainment provided. By stamping patrons’ arms as they leave a bar, they could then be refused re-entry to try to prevent this occurring.

Bar and security staff will start to give out information to customers on the Night Rider bus service so people can get home rather than loitering on the streets. The Night Rider buses are not considered to be well known at present but are a cost effective transport option and run hourly from the city to the suburbs from 1am until 3.40am. A Facebook page with information on the Night Rider buses was also suggested.

“Although inner city hospitality venues are already well managed and safe, it is positive to have these key operators working together and discussing initiatives to further assist with street safety”, said Nadine.

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