Town Hall eating ‘in air of luxury’

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33002, 23 August 1972, Page 8

Town Hall eating ‘in air of luxury’

“Meals to suit any budget and wines to cater for even the most discerning palate served in an air of quiet luxury .. That is what the management of the Town Hall restaurant has in store for diners.

Town Hall Enterprises, Ltd, made this remark yesterday to the Licensing Control Commission during its applications for the restaurant and theatre licences.

The quantity of “eulogy of the building contained in two-

thirds of the evidence in support of the applications,” prompted the commission chairman (Mr R. D. Jamieson S.M.) to make an inspection of the Town Hall in company with counsel for the applicants. Town Hall Enterprises, Ltd, is the company which has already been awarded the licence to provide food and other services in the Town Hall complex. A director of the company, Friedrich Johann Visser, runs three other licensed restaurants in Christchurch. Mr Visser told the commission that he had recently been abroad and had found that the facilities of the Town Hall would be as good as if not better than elsewhere. He said he was confident that the restaurant with seating for 135 diners at any one time would be well patronised. He said the menu would be varied, catering for as many personal preferences as possible at varying prices. The restaurant should be able to cater for all persons wishing to dine out, irrespective of their budgets. He said an application had already been made for a dancing permit. Many people expected this to be available and the restaurant was admirably suited for it. Live music would be available every night. “This will lend considerably to the air of quiet luxury that I antici-

pate will be achieved,” he said.

In support of his application for the theatre licence Mr Visser said no minimum standards had been laid down but he was satisfied from his observations abroad that his plans would be workable and offer the maximum of service to patrons. He said liquor facilities at theatrical and other performances had become the accepted thing overseas. “In my view they complement the performance quite considerably by producing a relaxed atmosphere,” he said. Mr Jamieson asked if such facilities would be available at such entertainment as a rock festival. “I don’t think we would accept that as a suitable standard. It might get out of hand,” he said. Peter John McAloon, a solicitor, told the commission that the Town Hall Committee wanted to offer as many facilities as possible to the public to ensure the success of the project. The committee hoped that the James Hay Theatre would become the focal point for theatrical performances in Christchurch. Barrie Patrick Connell, manager of the Town Hall, said he considered that the project should have all the facilities possible; the issue of the liquor licences was necesary to complement other facilities. The commission reserved its decision.