Another bottle shop planned for Surry Hills

By Mick Roberts

Another grog shop is planned for Bourke Street, and if approved, would mean at least six liquor outlets trading within 300 metres of each other in an alcohol saturated Surry Hills.
The application by supermarket giant Woolworths with the NSW Licensing Court to move their BWS liquor shop license from Paddington to the St Margaret’s Urban Village complex in Surry Hills has caused outrage among some local residents.
Police, who have raised concerns over an additional liquor license for Surry Hills, say their hands are tied.
‘We won’t be objecting to the application,’ Surry Hills Local Command Licensing Sergeant Peter Mort told The City News.
Despite another liquor store leading to possible problems for police, Sgt Mort said that was not reason enough to object to the NSW Licensing Courts.
‘Although it is unclear why another licensed venue is required in the current intensified area of Surry Hills and Darlinghurst areas, objections need to be based on data,’ Sgt Mort said.
‘We need to be fair to everyone, and there is no data to support an objection.’
In addition to the licensing court application, a development application (DA) with City of Sydney Council needs to be approved for the liquor store to trade near the existing Woolworths supermarket. The DA, lodged by James Lovell and Associates, is for the fit-out of premises at 425-429 Bourke Street in the St Margaret’s Urban Village complex, trading Mondays to Saturdays from 9am to 10pm, and Sundays and public holidays from 10am to 7pm. Submissions close on April 8.
Nichols Street Community Group, neighbouring businesses and some residents say the bottle shop should not proceed and have lodged objections with both Council and the NSW Licensing Court. They say more liquor supply is not needed; the immediate vicinity has adequate alcohol retailers. There are already 13 hotels, three nightclubs, 60 restaurants and cafés, and many bottle shops nearby, Nichols Street Community Group spokesman Brian Noad said.
He said while the BWS relocation is supported by some residents on the belief it may bring competitive alcohol prices, and its convenience to the nearby Woolworths supermarket, other residents say over time there will be no competition left.
‘History shows that large supermarkets bring lower prices in the short term, but also overtime cause the independent store owner to close due to undercutting, and then prices rise,’ Mr Noad said. ‘In fact over time there will be no competition left.’
Local residents, like Carlos Avzarradel, say the opening of the BWS liquor store would kill small business like the quirky liquor store, The Bottlo, that has been trading in Bourke Street for over 30 years.
‘These people (owners of the Bottlo) know the local community and they know who and who not to sell liquor to,’ Mr Avzarradel said.
‘There is a homeless men’s shelter just up the road, with many people who have alcohol related problems, and they know not to sell to these people ‘ would Woolworths do the same” he said.
Owner of The Bottlo, Ross Delaney agreed, and said although he had an interest in objecting to competition, he believed another liquor store would be detrimental to the community of Surry Hills.
‘There are a lot of reasons why this license should not be allowed,’ Mr Delaney said.
‘There’s a school next door, there’s an old age people’s home within 70 metres, there are three places of worship, a hostel for the homeless, a women’s refuge and a detox centre,’ he said.
‘We have been here a long time, and because we live in such a sensitive area, we don’t stock certain types of alcohol, such as cheap wine casks. I wonder if BWS will do the same.’
Woolworths told The City News that during the application process they held discussions with the nearby Wesley Centre addressing this issue but received no objection. They say the store ‘will be run strictly within Woolworths’ liquor guidelines and will not detract from the quiet and good order of the neighbourhood.’ They added that the new store will ‘provide a much better offer for customers being within an established shopping street and opposite the Woolworths supermarket providing convenience for shoppers.’
Mr Noad also pointed out that the Beresford Hotel is expected to open its own bottle shop in August, directly across from Woolworths and the proposed BWS in Bourke Street.
A City of Sydney spokesperson said Council encourages residents to view the application and make submissions. City of Sydney planners will assess the application on its merits, the spokesperson said.