SunLive readers have come out in force to show their support for Mount Maunganui's Vaudeville Bar, which is under threat of closure.

For the past five months the Rata Street bar has been attempting to secure a liquor on-licence, but has been hampered by three objections to its application.

Community support for Mount Maunganui's Vaudeville Bar has been 'mind blowing,” says owner Jessica Payne. Photo: Supplied

Over that time Vaudeville and Pizza Library Co. owner Jessica Payne has attempted to fix the issue via mediation with the objectors, but that has since failed.

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

While three people may want the bar to go, more than 1,000 people want it to stay.

Since the story ran on SunLive, readers have gone into bat for Vaudeville by signing a petition and voicing their support online.

At the time of writing, 57 readers have commented on SunLive's Facebook page about the story, with the vast majority of reader comments in support of Jessica and Vaudeville.

One reader wrote: 'This bar has character and the staff are incredibly welcoming and friendly. We have enjoyed eating pizza outside and listening to the amazing local musical talent that Vaudeville promotes.”

Another says: 'Very sad to read. Would be a shame to see these bars shut down. We need to encourage local businesses not run them into the ground. Shame on the 3 protesters who ever they may be!”

'Good luck Jessica, you guys run an amazing unique business that The Mount should be proud of,” reads another. 'We will keep our fingers crossed for a positive outcome for you. Big thumbs down to those who have objected - they need to get a life and go eat a piece of pizza.”

As messages of support poured in, others questioned the motives behind the objectors, with one reader saying: 'Clearly the whole surrounding area is a bar/dining location. I can't see what purpose denying the license of one site (which has been some kind of bar for many years) would achieve.”

While another says: 'It's really disappointing that a few grinches that moved into apartments clearly surrounded by bars dictate way too much. The needs and wants of many shouldn't be outweighed by the wants of 3 people.”

'Anything out of the ordinary gets the good old "Tall Poppy Syndrome" going in our beautiful city,” added one reader. 'Its things like this place that make our town special, so why the hell would anyone want it gone?”

Jessica, meanwhile, admits to being astounded by the level of support she's received from the community, saying: 'I was not expecting that at all to be honest. There have been so many amazing comments.

'I'm just amazed at the support we have received, it's overwhelming and mind blowing.”

Jessica says more and more people were signing the paper petition at the bar, while the online petition has increased by about 270 signatures since Monday.

She adds; 'We were sitting on around 1,000 signatures the other day, so there'd be at least a couple more hundred on top of that who have signed and it's still growing.”