04-08-2025
Tavern's liquor licence suspended
The Kensington Sports Bar & Tavern, at 4 King Edward St, has had its liquor licence suspended for 48 hours, from 10am on September 5 to 10am on September 7. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON
A Dunedin tavern has been banned from selling alcohol for two days after running giveaways involving a "premium ham" and a lawnmower.
The Kensington Sports Bar & Tavern was issued a liquor licence suspension by the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority last month following an application by police.
Police alleged the tavern irresponsibly promoted the sale of alcohol in two separate social media posts, one in November and another in December last year.
The posts contained promotions to be in to win a LawnMaster Pulse lawnmower, retailing for $599, and a "premium ham" with the purchase of select alcoholic products, a decision issued by the authority said.
The Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 states it is an offence to offer any goods or services, the opportunity to obtain any goods or services, or the opportunity to win a prize "on the condition that alcohol is bought".
Judge Robert Spear ordered the tavern's on-licence to be suspended for 48 hours, from 10am on September 5 until 10am on September 7.
The grounds of the application were undisputed, and the suspension was not opposed.
Thirsty Liquor Dunedin, a George St bottle store at the former Fine Wine & Spirits premises, was also brought to the authority's attention by police last month.
In December last year, police were monitoring the behaviour of a man verbally abusing people in the city centre, Judge Spear said.
Officers saw the man enter the bottle store and leave moments later carrying a bottle of alcohol.
"He then dropped the bottle of alcohol as he attempted to use an ATM across the street.
"He was assessed by the police officers as being grossly intoxicated."
Judge Spear ordered the off-licence to be suspended for 96 hours, from 10am on July 27 until 10am on July 31, and a manager's certificate issued to Nagaraju Racharla — listed as a former director of the store's holding company, Sri Sai Liquor Ltd, in its records — to be suspended for 28 days, from July 27 until August 23.
Neither respondent disputed the grounds of the applications.
Each suspension constituted one "negative holding".
A total of three incurred within three years would result in an application for the cancellation of the respective liquor licence or manager's certificate in each case.
