Liquor Offences Detected In Christchurch Asian Grocery Stores

The Christchurch City Council's Liquor Licensing team says recently a number of Asian grocery stores have been caught selling liquor without a licence or in breach of their licence conditions.

Christchurch DLA Liquor Licensing Inspectors have noticed an increase in the number of unlicensed grocery stores selling cooking wines that contain alcohol, and licensed grocery stores selling liquor such as Soju and Sake, which are not authorised under their licence.

Under the Sale of Liquor Act, liquor means any fermented, distilled or spirituous liquor that is found on analysis to contain 1.15 percent or more alcohol by volume. This includes any food condiment containing liquor which is prepared for culinary purposes and rendered unsuitable for drinking, e.g cooking wines that contain liquor.

Christchurch City Council Liquor Licensing Inspector Paul Spang says the unlicensed sale of liquor to the public is an offence liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or a fine not exceeding $40.000.

Mr Spang says there are also restrictions on the kind of store which can sell higher strength alcohol such as spirits. Licensed premises selling liquor which is not allowed under their licence are liable to a fine not exceeding $20.000 and/or the suspension of the liquor licence for a period not exceeding 7 days.

"Anyone wanting to sell alcohol needs to make sure they understand the requirements of the Sale of Liquor Act. Anyone who wants advice on whether they have the correct licence for the products they are selling should contact the Council's Liquor Licensing team on 941 8826, and we are happy to offer them advice," says Mr Spang. He says the team will continue to carry out inspections on this issue, and future offences are likely to result in legal action.