One of the Mount's most popular bars is under the threat of closure due to three objections to its application for a liquor on-licence earlier this year.

Vaudeville Bar and Pizza Library Co. owner Jessica Payne is beside herself at the prospect and says she has suffered continual harassment from the objectors since day one.

Vaudeville Bar on Rata Street has received three objections to the renewal of its temporary liquor licence. Photo: Supplied.

Jessica applied for Vaudeville's licence around five months ago, and has relied on temporary licences to allow her to trade.

She's attempted to sort the problem out with the objectors via mediation, but her attempts so far have failed miserably.

The matter will now be set before a judge at a District Licensing Committee hearing and Jessica will learn the date next Monday.

Vaudeville has held two temporary licences issued by the Tauranga City Council but was unlikely to be granted a third, says Jessica.

'The harassment has been continual from the day The Pizza Library opened its doors,” she says. 'They have definitely made our lives hell.

'When I took the opportunity to expand and create the new neighbouring bar the objectors merely took their opportunity.”

Jessica says the three objectors opposed her application because they believe there are enough bars in Mount Maunganui already.

But that beggars belief for Jessica, as before it was Vaudeville it was called Savvies Bar and had held a liquor licence for around seven years.

The objectors had plenty of opportunities to oppose the renewal of Savvies' licence but never once complained, says Jessica.

She adds: 'If you saw everything we've done for them on paper it's quite scary. We even took our lights down from around the bar. There have been a lot of issues.

'It's just heart breaking. All it takes is three people to object and potentially I might have to close down my business.

'I've got staff in there, I've pumped a lot of money into this business, and then you get told ‘we'll see whether you can stay open or not', which is crazy and worrying.”

Since the news broke the community support for Jessica and her staff has been phenomenal, she says.

An online petition started four days ago amassed 400 signatures within its first 24 hours. Combined with those collected at the bar, more than 1,000 people have signed.

Neighbouring businesses also do not want to see Vaudeville close and have started their own petition. To date 26 other businesses have signed this petition.

'The support we have received has been amazing, it's so nice to feel like people want you there and you have that backing,” says Jessica.

'This has been a long, drawn out process and now we'll bite the bullet, go to the tribunal and see what happens.”

THE PROCESS WHEN APPLYING FOR LIQUOR LICENCES

TCC group communications advisor Alison Clifford says after the licence application has been advertised council then gathers all of the required documentation.

Licensing inspectors will then write a report regarding the application for the District Licensing Committee.

Alison says: 'Once the reports go to the chairman of the District Licensing Committee he may call a hearing or decide the application on the papers in front of him.”

If the application goes to a hearing it is attended by the applicant, any objectors who wish to speak, plus representatives from TCC, Police, and Toi Te Ora Public Health.

Once everyone has given their side, the DLC then make its decision.

'Any decision of the DLC can be appealed to the Alcohol Regulatory Licensing Authority in Wellington, which used to be the Liquor Licensing Authority,” adds Alison.

'Their decisions can be appealed to the High Court.”

For more information about the application process click here.