Nick Smith: Nelson Mayor says alcohol licensing laws are over the top

Current liquor licensing rules are overzealous, according to Nelson's Mayor.  Nick Smith says it felt odd that he was unable to buy a bottle of wine at the Ready to Roll concert on Sunday, at Neudorf Vineyards in Nelson.  Patrons were only able to buy it in cups.  Nelson Mayor Nick Smith told Mike Hosking the licensing authority would make the organisers of the event agree to strict conditions if they want bottles, which is a bit over the top.  He says he's gone to similar events for decades and he's never seen any trouble.  Smith told Hosking it's not just concerts where this is happening – earlier in his term as Mayor, they had to use a screen to block people being seen drinking at tables on Trafalgar Street.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.