Plans for a new Liquorland inside Alstonville Plaza have been rejected after a strong community backlash and overwhelming opposition from local residents and businesses.

The NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority knocked back the proposal following a wave of submissions defending the town’s existing small businesses.

More than 120 people formally objected to the plan.

Only two submissions supported it.

The proposal from Coles Liquor would have converted a vacant 219-square-metre shop beside Coles supermarket into a Liquorland outlet.

It would have operated from 8am to 9pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 8pm on Sundays.

The store would have sat just metres from long-time local retailer Alstonville Cellars inside the Plaza.

Community rallies behind local businesses

Authority chair Caroline Lamb said the strength of community feeling played a major role in the decision.

“People are very supportive of local businesses,” she said in comments reported on NBN News.

“There’s a local hotel and a local bottle shop there already.”

The authority received 122 community submissions opposing the store and only two in support, reflecting strong local resistance to another national chain entering the market.

Local investment already underway

The decision also comes as major renovation works are already underway at the historic Federal Hotel in the centre of town.

Licensee Vincent Chee previously revealed plans to add a new bottle shop as part of a $5 million restoration of the heritage building.

That investment will expand takeaway alcohol sales in Alstonville while preserving one of the town’s landmark properties.

Local business owners argued the town was already well serviced.

Within minutes of the Plaza there is:

• Alstonville Cellars
  • takeaway sales from the Federal Hotel
  • Wollongbar Tavern’s bottle shop just five minutes away

Many residents said another outlet was unnecessary and risked undermining long-standing local operators who support community sport and events.

‘One-stop shop’ plan rejected

Coles had argued the new Liquorland would provide a convenient “one-stop shopping experience” for supermarket customers.

The company said the store would create jobs, increase foot traffic in the Plaza and offer more than 400 exclusive Liquorland products.

It also pointed to crime statistics showing alcohol-related assaults in the area were below the NSW average.

But the Liquor and Gaming Authority ultimately sided with the community view that another bottle shop was not needed.

For many locals, the decision is being seen as a win for small business in a town proud of its independent retailers.

Main image: the existing locally-owned bottle shop at Alstonville Plaza