IT might be almost official, but views are split on the merits of a liquor store approved for Alpine Shopping Centre.
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The Central Western Daily spoke to the centre’s other tenants and customers on Thursday to gauge support after councillors overturned an Orange City Council recommendation to refuse the development adjoining FoodWorks earlier in the week.
The recommendation was based on concerns about negative social impacts in a lower socio-economic area.
However, Alpine Takeaway owner Shane Burt, who took over the business a year ago, said he thought it was fantastic.
“If they come here to get grog, hopefully they will get some takeaway,” he said.
He said a centre’s reputation depended on how businesses were run.
“There was a lot of riff raff here when we started, but I put a stop to it and told them to speak with manners or not come into the store,” he said.
“If they do it properly, it should be no issue at all.”
However, Alpine Country Meat owner of 15 years Mick Tedeschi had a different view, believing it would have an impact on the crime rate.
“Why have a bottle shop in this part of town? I can’t understand it,” he said.
“I just don’t think it’s needed, when we’re three blocks from [the IGA].”
Customer Greg O’Neil dismissed the centre’s proximity to a childcare centre as a risk factor.
“The only way that would happen is if they let them buy it under age,” he said.
Fellow customers John and Pam Smyth said it would not matter.
“People would get it anyway,” Mr Smyth said.
Other business owners who declined to be named were concerned given they had previous experiences of clientele entering the premises and refusing to leave.
The CWD ran a poll after the council’s decision, asking readers whether they agreed.
Of the 174 who voted, 63.8 per cent supported the approval and 36.2 per cent did not.
FoodWorks partner Drew Patel said he was relieved and excited to have council support.
“Most supermarkets have liquor and that’s what we’re trying to achieve with our business,” he said.
Subject to approval from the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority, the Bottle-O would be open from 9am to 7pm on Monday to Saturday and 10am to 6.30pm on Sundays.