09 Jul 2015

Restaurant owners in Tonota have been advised to apply for liquor licences.

Speaking in a meeting with business owners in Tonota and surrounding areas recently,  senior assistant council secretary (SACS) for Tonota, Mr Terence Ntalabgwe, said a business that had a restaurant licence could still apply for a liquor licence.

He said liquor licence regulations were to be implemented with immediate effect, revoking statutory instrument No.60 of 2012, which exempted liquor restaurants from holding a bar liquor licence as a pre-requisite for selling liquor.

Mr Ntalabgwe said this was to enable restaurants that were selling liquor to normalise and continue selling the commodity. He said such establishments would not be subjected to requirements for obtaining a bar liquor licence, including the 500 metre requirement from a school, church or major road.

Furthermore, he said any other restaurants that desired to sell liquor should apply for a bar liquor licence and will be subjected to the attendant licence requirements.

The business owners were also encouraged to adhere to the stipulated times for selling liquor in restaurants.

Restaurant owners generally welcomed the news even though some were not happy with their opening times arguing that they are unfair as they pay the same amount as bar owners for the liquor licence.

Mr Modisaotsile Pule of Sunset Restaurant in Tonota stated that the public should be informed and educated about the new regulations as it is difficult for them as business owners to control their clients after they have had one too many. Ends