Bicheno grocery store's bid for liquor licence being watched as test case
A small grocery store on Tasmania's east coast is seeking the right to stock alcohol in what has been described as a test case for the state.
Tasmanian licensing laws prohibit a liquor licence being granted to a supermarket.
The Bicheno IGA argued the definition of supermarket did not include small grocery stores.
Store manager Peter Aulich has applied for a limited liquor licence.
Mr Aulich's stock includes Tasmanian cheeses, meat and produce geared towards tourists.
He told a licensing hearing the opportunity to sell boutique regional wine, beer and liqueurs would complete the picture.
"We have a very large tourist market through Bicheno, through our store, and we want to provide the one-stop visit," he said.
"Customers that I have served are over the age of 30, so it's not a young person's drink - wine and boutique beers don't appeal to young people."
But not everyone in the industry thought it was a good idea.
The Tasmanian Hospitality Association, which represents the interests of hotels and bars, has lodged an objection.
Spokesman Rohan Wade claimed it would have a detrimental effect on the local hotel industry.
"We believe this is a crucial test case for the industry that if this licence is granted, it will open a floodgate to other supermarkets to start selling liquor," he said.
"The law in Tasmania's very clear, and that is that a supermarket cannot be granted a liquor licence."
Mr Aulich wants the definition of a supermarket under Tasmania's Liquor Licensing Act clarified.
The board is expected to make a decision in the next month.
