Western Cape Liquor Act Survives Challenge

Liquor Law – The Western Cape Liquor Act stood firm to a challenge by the Mitchells Plain Liquor Traders Association when the High Court ruled on Monday (26.5.14) that the sections under fire did in fact comply to the Constitution.   Several licensed liquor outlets in the Cape Metro have lost their on-consumption liquor licences over the past few months, mostly for selling liquor for consumption off the premises.   Authorities promised to continue strict enforcement of the liquor act.

(Article by SAPA, redrafted by LiquorWise)

Distribution licence holders get relief

Liquor laws -  Distribution licence holders have been granted a reprieve from having their trading hours reduced from the current 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.   The amendment to Regulation 21 of the Liquor Act (2003) shall now only come into operation in 9 months - on 11 January 2015.   This effectively allows distribution licence holders the opportunity to trade as they have been for another 9 months.  It will also allow municipalities to pass by-laws regulating the hours of distribution licence holders.

Enquiries are welcome and can be forwarded to [email protected]

(Article by The Licence Co - LiquorWise Division)

Flea market stalls - Getting a liquor licence?

Liquor law -  The Licence Co (LiquorWise Division) will be making a submission to the Western Cape Liquor Authority(WCLA) to consider amending the current Western Cape Liquor Act (Act) to allow for the licensing of flea market stalls.    

A stall could easily be licensed by tailoring the conditions of a liquor licence.   It could allow a stall owner to trade only on the days on which the flea market (in any of its many forms) trades, for instance every Saturday from 08h00 until 13h00.    The category for "on and off consumption" liquor licences would allow a stall owner to sell liquor to be consumed on a demarcated area forming part of his/her stall, as well as to be taken away to be enjoyed off the stall premises.

It has been a big issue for stall owners for many years, as liquor licences were only issued to occupants of permanent premises - which could be locked up and left.  This meant that a stall owner had to submit an individual application for each trading day, which often meant 4 times or more per month.   The financial and administrative burden - to the applicant, the SAP liquor officer and the WCLA - was so considerable that it often put a stop to an application before it even reach the paperwork stage.


We are confident of the chances of the proposal being adopted, as the WCLA has been focusing on making the Liquor Act as user-friendly as possible.

As they say - watch this space!

(Article by The Licence Co) - LiquorWise Division)

SAB looking after feminine side of business

Liquor Licence Holders - SABMiller is helping licence holders to give their premises a facelift to the tune of $5million– to make it more female-friendly.  They are focusing on pub owners – giving advice and sometimes funding.     Typically, safety concerns and toilets are the first to get attention.  This is usually followed by improved seating and glasses – woman don’t like to drink from a bottle.   Analysts speculate that SAB is trying to recover market-share losses by getting access to the 17 million SA women of drinking age.

The Licence Co (LiquorWise Division) supports this venture.

(Article by Bloomberg, adapted by LiquorWise)

Time to comment on proposed WC Liquor Act expires on 23 May

Liquor Laws - The public has until 23 May to forward their comments to the WC Liquor Authority.   Those who want to mention any problem or make a suggestion to improve the current Western Cape Liquor Act, can also do so now.   Such issues and suggestion may be addressed in further, more substantial amendments, which are expected later in the year.

Comments can be sent to the following addresses :

(a) by posting it to: Chief Director:  Tourism, Arts and Entertainment, Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Western Cape Government

PO Box 979

Cape Town

8000

For attention: Mrs Madeleine Mitchell

(b) by hand delivery: Chief Director:  Tourism, Arts and Entertainment, Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Western Cape Government

10th Floor

80 St Georges Mall

NBS Waldorf Building

Corner Castle and Burg Streets

8001

For attention: Ms Madeleine Mitchell

(c) by E-mail: Madeleine.Mitchell@westerncape.gov.za

For attention: Ms Madeleine Mitchell

(d) by Fax: 021 483 8776

For attention: Ms Madeleine Mitchell

LiquorWise - a division of The Licence Co - will be submitting comments and proposals and will gladly add yours to those of other role players which have been included.    It may be a case of - "Speak now or forever hold your peace!"