A Rangiora bar manager says new closing times for bars and pubs are unreasonable, and will affect social events at her pub.
Photo: 123RF
The Waimakariri District Council is imposing a nightly closing time of 11pm, except on Fridays and Saturdays, when it will be 1am.
Michelle Fahey, who manages JR's Bar and Grill, said shutting early on weeknights would put a strain on holding events and tournaments at the bar.
She said she would support a compromise closing time of 1am every morning.
"We have darts [on] Tuesday, pool [on] Wednesday and Thursday's just pay day for everyone," she said.
"So, ideally, we would be more than happy to compromise and do a one o'clock close. It doesn't have to be three in the morning, I know that is late."
Waimakariri Mayor said the council was addressing the issues alcohol abuse caused in every New Zealand community.
"Matters related to violence on the street, there's vandalism, there's domestic violence," he said.
"I think the health authorities and the police can give you quite a long list of the issues that are caused in communities throughout New Zealand because of the abuse of alcohol - and I stress the abuse of alcohol, not the use of it."
