Small business toasts liquor store knock back

BY MICK ROBERTS

Plans by supermarket giant Woolworths to relocate a liquor store to Surry Hills have been dealt a blow with City of Sydney Council rejecting the development application.’
Council’s refusal to allow the BWS liquor store to go ahead follows the NSW Liquor Administration Board approval of a ‘Social Impact Assessment’ application for the removal of the off-licence from Paddington to Surry Hills on May 2.’
However, overwhelming opposition from small businesses, local residents, welfare groups and the police has lead Council to the decision to reject yet another grog shop on Bourke Street.’Woolworths hoped to have the liquor store trading opposite their Bourke Street supermarket to provide “customer convenience”, a spokesman said.
The City News understands that Australia’s biggest grocery supplier was so confident of having the development application approved, stock and fittings from the Paddington store were already being packed for removal to the Surry Hills site. ‘
The development application, lodged by James Lovell and Associates, was for 425-429 Bourke Street, and planned to trade Mondays to Saturdays from 9am to 10pm, and Sundays and public holidays from 10am to 7pm. Submissions closed on April 8. ‘
A City of Sydney spokesperson said the application was refused on June 5.’
“More than 300 submissions were received objecting to the proposed location of the retail liquor outlet with concerns it would have a detrimental effect on the amenity of the area,” the spokesperson said.’
NSW Police were consulted and advised the location of the proposed outlet would be within an alcohol free zone and that any sale of liquor may impact and increase the amount of street drinking and alcohol related crime in the area. ‘
“The location of the liquor store was considered inappropriate as it would be opposite the Edward Eager Lodge ‘ a shelter for men with alcohol misuse problems,” the spokesperson said.’
Nichols Street Community Group said additional liquor outlets were not needed in an area “already awash with alcohol supply” and that was experiencing “a public drinking problem”.’Adequate alcohol retailers traded in the locality, Community Group spokesman Brian Noad said.’
“Any further opportunities to supply alcohol would not be in the interests of local residents or the community. There are 26 pubs, cafes and restaurants within a 5 minute radius of the proposed new location,” he said.
Within two minutes walking distance there are two liquor bottle shops, The Bottlo, Bourke Street and the re-emerging Beresford Hotel will have a liquor bottle shop.’
“No more are needed. Darlinghurst/Surry Hills including Oxford St is reported to have the highest number of liquor licenses of any police area command in Australia,” Mr Noad said.
While the BWS relocation was supported by some residents on the belief it may bring competitive alcohol prices ‘ plus its convenience to the nearby Woolworths supermarket ‘ Mr Noad said many residents and welfare agencies had big concerns.’
Owner of the nearby boutique style liquor store, The Bottlo, Ross Delaney said history had shown that large supermarkets bring lower prices in the short term, at the expense of small businesses.’
He said allowing a Woolworth liquor store would be the first step in destroying the village atmosphere of Surry Hills.'”The decision to reject the application by Council is a win for small business in the area,” Mr Delaney said.’
“It means that Council is listening and respecting the opinion of the community.”‘
A Woolworths spokesperson said the decision to reject the development application was “disappointing”.’When The City News asked whether the decision would be appealed in the Land and Environment Court by Woolworths, the spokesman said they would be first looking at the reasons why the decision was made by Council.’
“When we look at that, we hope to go forward from there,” the spokesperson said.’
Surry Hills’ police told The City News in May that they would not be objecting to the license transfer, but questioned the need for another liquor store in the neighbourhood.