The Bicheno IGA store has applied foraspecial license to sell Tasmanian beer and wine in-store, and a hearing before the Liquor Licensing Board will be held tomorrow.

The Tasmanian Hospitality Association has opposed the application, and warns a successful application will  open a flood gate for supermarkets to start selling liquor across the state.

THA general manager Steve Old said the application would be a ‘‘crucial test’’ for the legislation, which currently states supermarkets are not permitted d to sell liquor.

Mr Hinchcliffe, who is also the Tasmania IGA chief executive, said he did not want the Liquor Licensing Board to shut the door on IGA stores being able to sell alcohol in the state.

‘‘There was no ulterior motive to get liquor into larger supermarkets,’’ Mr Hinchcliffe said.

He said there were small scale grocery stores around the state that were able to sell alcohol, and licenses should be based on the demographic of the area.

‘‘This isn’t a fit for a lot of the IGA stores,’’ he said. 

‘‘But there’s certainly areas around Tasmania where this could be a good fit,’’ he said.

He said local producers would be given more opportunities to sell their product.

‘‘We just want to be given the chance to showcase those products as part of our offerings,’’ he said.

‘‘Hopefully, if we can get one or two of these up we can help our local producers and growers and expand their market’’.

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said competition in tourist areas was a good thing, but needed to be fair.

Mr Martin said many operators in tourist dependent areas carried tight margins during the winter months.