Short window opens for permission to sell booze
(CNS): For a short time only, local businesses, with the exception of gas stations, will be able to apply for new package and retail licenses until 16 January next year. The two month window of opportunity started last week and will enable restaurants and other appropriate business to add a liquor license. It will also facilitate the opportunity for new bars, restaurants and liquor stores to open new license premises without transferring a license from somewhere else. The window of opportunity comes as a result of a change in the regulations in Cabinet last week.
As a result of the moratorium which controls the number of licenses allowed on the island, those who have a license who no longer wish to operate a restaurant, bar or liquor store have sold licenses on at a premium. From time to time government lifts the moratorium to re balance the numbers or facilitate license for new developments and attractions.
During his time in office the former tourism minister Charles Clifford had said the moratorium needed to be lifted and new licensing laws developed to better manage the situation, as he said the existing law encouraged a black market in which licences have been known to sell privately for as much as $200,000.
Category: Business
One thing that needs to be looked at very seriously during this time is the opening of package licences on Sundays. Currently under the law they can’t open, although a bar can be opened from noon time. this is archaic and totally illogical. the package licencee or liquor store is the one that would serve the community better as families are in need of beers etc for home BBQs, picnics and parties. if the argument of morality is used – which is best? someone who wishes to have a quiet drink with family and friends or the husband sitting alone in a bar being served by a pretty latina?
The Liquor law is outdated and makes no sense in this respect and should be repealed immediately to accomodate sensible service to the community.
If bars can open on Sunday, why can’t supermarkets?
It would upset the Baby Jesus.
oh, i wonder who’ll be getting liqour licences this time round….who was it who got a load of them last time there was a ‘short window’ opened?? oh, thats right……anyone paying attention to anything anymore?
Come see who need liqour license now.
XXXX Alcohol is by far the many causes of domestic abuse, a dangerous weapon behind the weel of a vehicule that impairs the smartest brain. Once feeling good,typsie or drunk a person can and will do anything that they normally would not do. Just what we needed more liquor licence. AND IT"S LEGAL. My concern however is that someone would say that it would save from building another church 1000′ feet from another bar.Well Jack D. the last time I checked Alcohol kills and God saves. I think you need another drink and if you hit rock bottom you will only have one way to look and that is up. Please stay off the road.
"Alcohol kills and God saves"
So if God cannot save an alcoholic from dieing, you are saying alcohol is stronger than God, LOL
Really so as thousand of people die every day, why does not God save them? I’m trying to fin the immortal Pope God is saving from death.
Alcohol may have killed many many people, but far more have died in the name of Christianity.
SO your little quip should read
"Alcohol kills, but it does not hold a light to God’s killing ways"
I approve of the law that prevents a new church being built within 1000′ of a bar.
about time….now lets review the archaic licensing hours….
I sense the silent hand of miss julie.
It will also facilitate the opportunity for more people to GET KILLED ON OUR ROADS AND MORE MONEY SPENT ON RCIP TRAFFIC PATROL !
The Liquor licensing Board need to be ABOLISHED! it is what is ruining Cayman.
Someone’s in denial.
I totally agree, it needs to be abolished with the law preventing alcohol establishments within 1000′ of schools and churches and any Caymanian seeking a license should be able to do so in the same fashion we renew our drivers’ license. Drive over to the Registrar of Companies, present the relevant documents, pay for it and open for business. This moratorium crap is nothing more than protectionism designed to inflate prices. Regardless of the product, if it’s not illegal, free market must prevail.
"preventing alcohol establishments within 1000′ of churches"
It would be impossible on the island to avoid being within 1000′ of any church since there are are hundreds (almost as many as there are banks).
.Perhaps a moratorium on churches could be imposed?