Key Takeaways
- The Cromwell company, The Gate Ltd, plans to open its second liquor store in Wānaka early this year.
- The new store will be located on the site of the former Countdown Metro Wānaka supermarket.
- The company has applied for a licence to open the store, with proposed opening hours of 9am-10pm, Monday to Sunday.
- The last day for members of the public to lodge an objection is February 9.
- The company already runs several liquor stores in the region, including Super Liquor Wānaka, and has faced opposition to a proposed store in Lake Hāwea.
Introduction to The Gate Ltd’s Expansion Plans
The Gate Ltd, a Cromwell-based company, is set to expand its presence in Wānaka with the opening of its second liquor store in the town. The company has applied for a licence to open the store on the site of the former Countdown Metro Wānaka supermarket, which closed in August. The site is owned by Allan Dippie’s Willowridge Developments Ltd, and The Gate Ltd plans to capitalize on the location’s good off-street parking and prime position. According to chief executive Glen Christiansen, the company is aiming to open the new bottle shop in February, pending a successful licence application.
The Company’s Existing Operations
The Gate Ltd is no stranger to the liquor industry, already operating several successful stores in the region. The company runs Super Liquor stores in Wānaka, Cromwell, Alexandra, Lorneville, and Remarkables Park (Queenstown), as well as the Harvest Hotel and Five Stags Bar & Restaurant in Cromwell. The existing Wānaka store, located in Reece Cres, will continue to operate, with Christiansen citing its loyal customer base and the town’s growing population as reasons to maintain its presence. The company’s experience and established customer base will likely serve as a solid foundation for the new store’s success.
The Lake Hāwea Controversy
However, The Gate Ltd’s expansion plans have not been without controversy. The company’s application to open a Super Liquor store at Lake Hāwea subdivision Longview last year sparked widespread opposition, with a record-breaking 538 submissions lodged against the proposal. The Ministry of Health was among those who opposed the application, citing concerns about the potential impact on the community. A three-day hearing took place last month, and a decision is yet to be announced. Despite this, the company is pushing forward with its plans for the new Wānaka store, which will be located on Ardmore St.
The New Store’s Proposed Hours and Objection Period
The liquor licence application for the new store lists the proposed opening hours as 9am-10pm, Monday to Sunday. This is in line with standard operating hours for liquor stores in the region. The public has until February 9 to lodge an objection to the licence application, providing an opportunity for community members to have their say on the proposal. It is unclear at this stage whether the opposition to the Lake Hāwea store will have any impact on the Wānaka application, but the company is likely to be aware of the potential for controversy.
Conclusion and Future Developments
In conclusion, The Gate Ltd’s plans to open a second liquor store in Wānaka are underway, with the company aiming to open the new store in February. The location, on the site of the former Countdown Metro Wānaka supermarket, offers good off-street parking and a prime position. While the company has faced opposition to its proposed store in Lake Hāwea, it is pushing forward with its plans for the new Wānaka store. The public has until February 9 to lodge an objection, and it will be interesting to see how the community responds to the proposal. As the company continues to expand its operations in the region, it is likely that we will see further developments in the coming months.