Golden Age Tavern in Bluff has dodged losing its liquor licence despite strong opposition from police, health officials and licensing inspectors.

The Invercargill District Licensing Committee granted the tavern a shortened 12-month licence last month after a hearing that exposed poor staffing, no courtesy coach, inadequate systems and unidentifiable food in freezers.

Committee chair Darren Ludlow acknowledged the agencies' concerns had merit but gave applicant Tony Low another chance.

"It is extremely concerning to us that these issues were all raised with Mr Low at his last renewal and he at best has simply not got around to it or worst he has thumbed his nose at the Act and the reporting agencies as well as this Committee," Ludlow wrote.

"We will give Mr Low the benefit of doubt on this occasion but he should be left with a very clear impression such benefit will not occur again should this situation arise at the next renewal."

The problems were not new. Alcohol harm prevention officer sergeant Hayden McNaught and others had raised identical issues previously, which Low had promised to fix but never did.

Low received help at the April 29 hearing from employee Rochelle Kellor and neighbouring restaurateur Hayley-Chanel Simeon. The committee said the pair were of "great assistance" and had confirmed they would help Low address the outstanding issues.

The new licence allows Golden Age Tavern to sell liquor every day from 8am to 1am onsite and 7am to 11pm at its bottle store. The committee rejected a request from delegated medical officer of health Stephanie Bekhuis-Pay for random site checks.

Low is one of five directors for Golden Age (2018) Ltd and has indicated the tavern may soon be up for sale.

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