The latest on-licence and off-licence applications for the St Kilda Tavern have been opposed by police, the medical officer of health delegate and the Dunedin City Council’s chief licensing inspector.
Police opposed the applications by JV Bars Ltd for reasons including the suitability of the applicant.
“One of the shareholders failed to disclose convictions and previous involvement with the police,” a report to Dunedin’s district licensing committee said.
The inspector raised concerns that a 50% shareholder in the company, Jaspal Singh, “did not disclose all relevant convictions and police interactions”.
“These appear to be alcohol related, therefore his suitability must be questioned,” the report said.
Alcohol harm prevention officer Sergeant Steve Jones also raised concerns in his own report about JV Bars’ sole director, Vishav Singh.
Police inquiries revealed he was still employed by Woolworths Waimakariri Junction, near Christchurch.
“Furthermore, the experience of operating in the sale and supply of alcohol is extremely lacking, with Vishav only recently obtaining a duty manager’s certificate to work at Woolworths.
“Jaspal has never held a duty manager’s certificate and has little to no recent experience working in the sale and supply of alcohol.”
Further inquiries revealed Vishav, his staff and some of his other premises throughout the country were also subject to previous suitability issues.
The St Kilda Tavern had been “passed around a number of unsuitable applicants since 2023”, with the former licensee and current landowner, Ian Tolerton, having held the base licences on which JV Bars’ current temporary authority was leveraged, Sgt Jones said.
A previous liquor licence application by Kilda Hospitality Ltd, which the committee declined in May, “showed evidence of intoxication, poor management, staff members consuming illegal substances, and patrons serving themselves alcohol,” he said.
“Police will submit that little had changed in the operation of the premises since the previous application was declined.”
Medical officer of health delegate Aaron Whipp said in his report the limited experience of both Vishav and Jaspal in the sale and supply of alcohol was “a cause for serious concern”.
“The absence of adequate expertise and consistent oversight undermines any confidence in the applicants’ ability to manage the premises responsibly, increasing the risk of harm related to alcohol in the community.”
Vishav Singh stated in the applications he had more than four years of experience at Woolworths, including selling alcohol at checkouts and “online orders of liquor”, and had worked at liquor stores in the past.
“The matters have been addressed and will be clarified to [the] committee on Thursday,” Mr Singh said yesterday.
A hearing has been scheduled for tomorrow.
