Liquor signs enforce ban

NEW display signs are being issued to licensed premises in Feilding to re-emphasise the Manawatu District Council bylaw that permanently bans the public consumption of liquor in the town centre.

Sergeant Terry Gibbons, of Feilding police, said the signs made people aware that once they left bars, restaurants and cafes, as well as some supermarkets, they could not consume liquor on the street.

“The reason is that you get people who have had too much to drink out on the footpath holding bottles in their hands that can get broken or be used as weapons,” he said. “This move is aimed at curbing that sort of behaviour.”

The liquor ban, introduced by council about three years ago, applies between 9pm and 6am each day and to all streets and public places in an area bounded by the North Island main trunk railway and Hobson, Manchester (in two sections), Bowen, Warwick, Fergusson and Eyre Streets.

Mr Gibbons said there had been few problems in Feilding of late with drinking in a public place, though he had been aware of one incident where there was a “bit of disorder” outside a licensed premise.

“I’m relatively happy with the status quo, but don’t want to see Feilding start to experience these sorts of incidents.”

He said individuals who broke the ban could be arrested and face charges.

“The good thing about these signs is their educational value. If people read them when entering or exiting a licensed area, and abide by them, then everyone will be happy.”

Senior Environmental Officer, Colin Perrin, said further signs were also being erected at strategic points around the town centre so people would be aware they were entering a liquor ban area.

Other permanent bans that apply in the CBD involve skating and dogs.