The head of a Christchurch community board is outraged a Wendy's burger bar in Christchurch has applied for a licence to sell alcohol with its meals.
Photo: 123RF
The Hornby fast food bar made the application to the Christchurch City Council last week and people have until next Friday to make submissions.
Riccarton Wigram community board chair Mike Mora is urging as many people as possible to make a submission against the licence - and also called on Wendy's to withdraw its application.
"I haven't spoken to one person, at all, who thinks its a good idea," said Mr Mora.
"Nobody can understand why fast food outlets like burger bars are now wanting to get onto the bandwagon - in particular Wendy's - with a liquor licence."
Deputy mayor Vicki Buck feared if the licence was approved it could set a dangerous precedent.
"Obviously fast food chains get a lot of kids after school," she said. "I think parents want to feel that their kids are in a safe place.
Ms Buck said there were burger restaurants that sold alcohol but Wendy's differed in the fact it was a fast-food chain.
"Even at Denny's you can buy alcohol and burgers and beers, but you sit down and get served, you are there to eat a meal so it is different.
"Given how many fast-food places there are around the city and the country, will everyone all of a sudden want to sell alcohol if this license is approved?"
Ms Buck said the application was an unusual one. "It is from 8am to 11pm, and this particular Wendy's is a drive through."
But the restaurant chain said it was no different from other restaurants selling alcohol alongside food.
Chief executive Danielle Lendich said Wendy's intention was to serve beer and cider, with low alcohol options, but alcohol would not be served in the drive-through.
Ms Lendich said people drinking a beer with a burger was normal in many places.
"Most of the newcomers and the new cafes are offering some kind of alcohol service. We don't intend on people coming into our restaurants and sitting there ordering drink after drink, this will literally be a beer with your burger. It won't be an ongoing process. We don't have people coming into our restaurant and sitting there for two to three hours - they come in, have their meal and leave."
Submissions from the public close on 6 November. The District Licensing Committee, which makes the decision, will also consider a report from local police and Community Public Health.
If the license is approved the public could still appeal against the decision to the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority.
