Patrons of bar outlets around Gaborone have expressed gratitude to the government for increasing liquor licence trading operating hours over the festive season.

The Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship recently announced an extension of liquor trading hours over the festive season, permitting bars to operate from 10am until 6am, what alcohol clients term 'lalavoka' in local parlance.

The Daily News spent the early morning of Christmas Day observing the situation at  outlets in the vicinity of Gaborone and patrons largely expressed positive sentiments.

A patron in Mogoditshane said throughout the Christmas Eve night into the morning of Christmas Day, scores of people had been imbibing and listening to music at the Tsabong complex, in an orderly manner.

Another person said business was likely to boom for bars but expressed the concern that nightclubs might struggle to gain clients over the festive season, as people may prefer to buy liquor at a cheaper price in bars.

Similar sentiments were expressed by bar employees and patrons at Gaborone's Phase 2, Block 5 and Block 6 precincts.

They said there had not been any incidents of disorderly conduct often associated with long hours of alcohol consumption. ENDS