Invercargill Licensing Trust board members thrilled with Wachner Place bar concept

Thursday, 28 February 2019

Invercargill Licensing Trust board members believe once the temporary container bar goes up at Wachner Place the public won't want it to come down.

ILT has released an artist impression of the proposed container bar which is planned for Wachner Place while the ILT builds its new hotels and bars on the corner of Don and Dee streets.

The Wachner Place proposal has been met with some opposition from people who do not want a bar erected in a public space in the central city.

At the ILT board meeting on Thursday, general manager Chris Ramsay said there had been some misinformation around the proposal and stressed it was not a 'Kiln or Barluca type late night club', but instead a family friendly establishment.

**READ MORE:

* Invercargill Licensing Trust is two bars down but boss says no financial hit instore

* Former councillor Norman Elder says Wachner Place bar would send 'mixed signals'

* ILT container bar proposal meets opposition**

'The idea is to ultimately create a space for all to enjoy … somewhere fun and funky where parents feel comfortable bringing their children,' Ramsay said.

ILT board members praised the design presented to them.

Chairman Alan Dennis believed Wachner Place was not all that appealing to a lot of people and this would help change its image.

Many of the board members believed once it was built the public would love the concept.

'I think once it goes up no one will want to get rid of it,' Angela Newell said.

'I just think that is so innovative and that particular place has been barron for so long. It's something new for our city,' Suzanne Prentice said.

People will be able to order food from nearby food outlets like Subway, Hells Pizza, Tuatara Café, or The Speights Ale House and the food will be brought to them.

'People would be welcome to bring their own lunch as well,' Ramsay said.

The ILT still needed to work through resource consent with the Invercargill City Council before it got the green light.