Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board has welcomed the withdrawal of an off-licence application for a liquor store in Vine Street, Māngere East.
The board has long advocated tougher restrictions on liquor outlets in its area to reduce alcohol-related harm and had objected to the application.
Applicant’s decision to withdraw has also been welcomed by the community calling it “the right thing” to do.
Glenn McCutcheon, chair of Communities Against Alcohol Harm, which has supported groups to make submissions on liquor-licensing applications says that the proposed location near to several schools was not appropriate.
“There are already too many liquor stores in Mangere East, which is a vulnerable community already experiencing too much alcohol-related harm. The store was to be located next to Sutton Park and just down the road from Sutton Park Primary School,” she adds.
Following a community activation in February, more than 65 objections to the application were lodged by the local residents, groups, the police and Medical Officer of Health.
“There’ll be no more liquor stores around here”, says Trevor Wilson, Exec Member of Communities Against Alcohol Harm.
