Liquor law - The public has until 31 October 2013 to comment on an amended by-law (“Draft by-law Control of Undertakings”) mainly dealing with liquor trading hours of Cape Town businesses. This follows several public hearings, at which 90% of those in attendance voiced their unhappiness with the current liquor trading days/hours. Apart from proposals regarding trading hours, the by-law also gives law-enforcement agencies greater powers of enforcement.
This turnaround by the City of Cape Town is welcomed by most members of the public. Liquor traders, however, complain about having to carry the burden of additional legal fees as they are forced to apply if they want their trading hours amended. They believe the City of Cape Town should bear this cost, because it failed to implement the will of the majority of Capetonians when the current by-law was finalized in 2013. If the proposed amendments are implemented, it will mean that liquor trading hours will be the same as they were before the by-law was enacted. “The public’s perception is that all liquor stores automatically sell until 8pm and on Sundays”, one liquor traders complained.
The main proposed changes are :
- Off-consumption licence holders may apply to trade until 8pm and on Sundays
- On-consumption licence holders may apply to trade until 4am
- The new by-law requires the display of hours of trade and zoning certificates.
[Article by Michelle Jones(Cape Times), edited by LiquorWise]
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