Nora Fu is fighting to bring back cold beer to Pirongia’s Five Stags Restaurant and Bar.
Fu, the sole shareholder of the Franklin Street bar and restaurant operator Night Pearl, has been unable to sell alcohol since May 19 after the Waipā District Licensing committee declined her application for renewal of an on-licence.
Pirongia Four Square owner Chris McDonnell – “disappointed for the community”.
The restaurant and bar lost its licence after an underage staff member sold alcohol to a minor during a police controlled purchasing operation. The young drinker was not asked for proof of identification and was allowed to sit outside the licensed area and drink alcohol. Fu had previously been advised drinkers could not consume alcohol in the outside area in front of the bar or to its side until a licence variation was granted for those areas.
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The licensing committee was not confident the licensee understood the obligations or conditions of the licence. Fu had received help from two licensing inspectors, police, and the secretary of the licensing committee, but the committee found “there appears to be an ongoing disregard for the assistance given or an inability to understand the obligations of a licensee.”
“We are still open, but we can’t sell alcohol, only food,” Fu told The News on Thursday.
The Hive owner Shereen Parker – “it feels like we are going a little bit backwards”.
Yet The Five Stags website continued to advertise “cold beer, great food, tall tales”.
“We are just waiting for a hearing at the end of this month, appealing the decision.
“It’s not good for business.”
Clare St Pierre
Fu’s appeal will be heard by the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority.
Waipā Pirongia-Kakepuku Ward councillor Clare St Pierre described the loss of license as “a real tragedy”.
Fellow ward councillor Bruce Thomas met Fu after her licence was lost.
“I don’t think she understood the rules,” he said. “She’s done a heck of a job, and got a professional manager in. I think she’s on the right track.”
Other Franklin Street businesses and residents would love to see the Five Stags get its licence renewed.
Bruce Thomas
Pirongia Four Square owner Chris McDonnell said: “I am just disappointed for the community. I just want them to get their licence… It’s a real shame. We want to see everyone in Pirongia do well.”
The Hive honey and hand made products store owner Shereen Parker was saddened by the loss of service that came with the loss of license.
“It would be really good to have it up and running again,” she said.
She was also mourning the closing and subsequent demolition of Café on Franklin in 2022.
“It feels like we are going a little bit backwards instead of forwards,” she said.
“I love the potential of the area.”
Last year Waipā District Council granted building consent for a bakery and three retail tenancies on the site of Café on Franklin. Now the site sits vacant and fenced.
Last man standing: the Five Stags Restaurant and Bar is open, but can’t sell drinks.
