Govt shuts down liquor restaurants

Mpho Mokwape | Thursday June 18, 2015 18:34

 

The Ministry of Trade and Industry yesterday issued a statement advising restaurant operators who have been selling liquor to normalise their operations by obtaining a bar liquor licence from their respective councils. 

They have been given up to end of October 2015 to obtain the licence to avoid being subjected to all licencing requirements after the closing date.

“Prospective applicants for a restaurant licence who wish to sell Liquor are advised to apply for a bar liquor licence.  However, bar liquor licences will be subjected to all requirements for obtaining a bar liquor licence,” reads the statement.

Furthermore, liquor restaurant licensees were obliged to comply with operating times for the sale of liquor in a restaurant as stipulated in Regulation 8 (2) of the Liquor Regulations, 2008, which provides that “where a restaurant licenced under the Trade Act and a bar liquor licenced under the Act are issued for the same premises, the bar liquor licensee shall sell liquor daily between the hours of 1200 hours and 14:30 hours and between the hours of 18:30 hours and 22:30 hours.”

Liquor Traders were also advised that Regulation of Liquor Regulations, 2008 that allowed licencees to play music within a radius of 200 metres has been amended through Statutory Instrument No. 54 of 2015. 

“Liquor Traders are therefore, advised not to play loud music in their premises in order to promote peace in the neighbourhoods,” further reads the statement.