3 June, 2025

Tavern-licence seekers rule out karaoke and late-night bottle binning

Operators of the Milford Motel venue have made a series of concessions aimed at appeasing noise fears among residents in a bid to secure a licensing switch from restaurant to tavern status.
In closing submissions before the Auckland District Licensing Committee in Takapuna this month, counsel for BCR Hospitality, John Young, said changes in the manner of trade were not planned. The venue would continue to operate with similar hours and in a family-friendly manner, without karaoke or live bands.
He presented a revised noise management plan – including more sound monitoring, time limits for emptying bottles into bins outside and speaker positioning – when the hearing resumed, having the previous month taken submissions from 11 of 32 objectors.
Young maintained none had been able to bring the applicant’s suitability into question and without objections from police or liquor inspectors, the licence should be granted.
Co-operator Billy Vasdev also responded to questions from the hearing panel, saying the change to a tavern licence was largely to clear up uncertainties. This related to how the two kinds of licence were interpreted by authorities around food offerings. Milford Motel wants to offer a reduced menu later in the evening for cost reasons, but Young said it was not aiming to change into a late-night venue for partying or drinking or to become a sports-style pub. “The applicant does not intend for there to be standing bar service, other than for patrons waiting for a table.”
He noted some of the objectors to the licence being renewed if switched to a tavern category, had said they liked the current style of operations and enjoyed frequenting the premises.
The panel also noted this, but said submitters had raised concerns that operations might change over time, or if the venue was sold. “That’s the crux,” said panel chair Marguerite Delbet.
Young said a temporary licence would be needed by any new operator and it could be revoked or have its status and conditions changed if authorities were not happy with a new operation. He reiterated his client’s willingness to make changes to satisfy concerns and fresh undertakings to work with the community. “Mr Vasdev demonstrated that he is open and willing to engage with neighbours and make improvements to the operation of premises where necessary.”
Delbet questioned a liquor licensing inspector, Bryce Law, about why an earlier objection to the change of licence had been lifted. He said he was the fourth inspector on the job since the venue opened in 2022 and that interpretations around matters such as what constituted a restricted menu could vary. Law noted the applicant’s undertakings restricting live events and for noise monitoring and said when he visited three times it had closed earlier than permitted hours. But on a summer visit “you certainly hear the hubbub that the objectors talked about,” he added.
Milford Residents Association co-chair Debbie Dunsford asked his view on the suitability of the venue’s semi-enclosed outdoor seating area, should it be sold. “Then we’re stuck with a tavern licence in a building without proper walls,” she said.
Law agreed that what looked like a temporary structure might be problematic in future. “I can’t see it holding in a great deal of noise.” But he noted an undertaking that patrons would be moved inside from 10pm. He said he had only seen the venue operating as a restaurant.
The committee reserved its decision.

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