The theatre’s on-licence was renewed for 18 months by Dunedin’s District Licensing Committee last month, following a hearing in February.
It was opposed by Dunedin City Council licencing inspector Alison Blair, who in her report raised concerns about operations without a certified manager and the volume of wine servings. She also questioned the manner in which the theatre sold food.
According to a menu, patrons at the Regent Theatre could choose from either a “regular” or “large pour” of wine, for $12 or $20 respectively.
The “snacks and sweets” options included popcorn, crisps, Whittaker’s chocolate and skittles. Ice creams were separately listed and the menu noted hot food options were available on request.
Medical officer of health delegate Aaron Whipp was “shocked” when he saw the menu, a decision document said. At the hearing, he described the food options listed as “nothing more than snacks” and said it did not meet the requirements for an on-licence.
Mr Whipp, who told the committee he had worked at three different theatres without kitchens around the country, said another venue “worse than the Regent Theatre” had found acceptable workarounds to comply with the legislation, the decision said.
Committee secretary Kevin Mechen said they had been unimpressed with what was presented at the hearing and had been “of a mind to decline the application”.
But after giving the applicant time to supply a plan which addressed the issues raised, the committee felt satisfied and renewed the licence to February 2026.
The committee heard that supplying food options at the theatre was difficult due to the 20 minute intermission during performances.
Regent Theatre director Sarah Anderson said it could take about 10 minutes to prepare hot food because it was heated in a microwave two floors above the theatre.
They were considering removing the option altogether, because of the time it took to prepare and the risk of a mess being made in the auditorium, and were exploring other options.
The committee questioned “how difficult it would be for them to get sandwiches brought in for each night” and also heard the theatre had “found substantial muffins” which had proved popular among patrons, the decision said.
Ms Blair said a revised menu presented at the hearing was worse than the one initially submitted and the food was not suitable for a licensed premises. The large pours of wine, while not unlawful, were unsuitable for the style of premises.
While police did not object to the renewal, Alcohol Harm Prevention officer Sergeant Steve Jones, of Dunedin, noted the theatre had been served with a “graduated response model” warning letter in August after the premises was found operating without a certified duty manager and without an up-to-date duty managers register.
tim.scott@odt.co.nz
