GEORGE NEWS - George residents will soon be able to purchase alcohol from liquor outlets on Sundays and religious holidays. Those who frequent house taverns will be able to extend their visits to well past bedtime.
The new by-law on the days and hours of liquor trading was passed in Council last Thursday, 25 July.
As soon as the by-law is promulgated in the Government Gazette - this could well take two to three months - alcohol retailers may start sales on these previously "dry" days. Residents will be able to purchase alcohol from 09:00 to 17:00 on Sundays and from 09:00 to 20:00, Mondays to Saturdays.
The same hours will apply to cellars, wine makers, home distillers and all off-premises consumption retailers. The times for consumption on premises are 08:00 to 02:00 the next day, Monday to Sunday.
House taverns
An amendment to the by-law, as requested by the ANC, stretched the hours for liquor consumption at house taverns even longer than the first proposal. With the amended proposal, house taverns will be allowed to sell liquor on site from 10:00 on Fridays to 02:00 on Saturdays; and on Sundays from 10:00 to 22:00.
Huge majority
At the council meeting, not everyone voted in favour of the item, with the ACDP abstaining. However, the vast majority of councillors approved the by-law and the item carried with 44 votes for and three votes against – all the nays from the Patriotic Alliance councillors.
Four councillors decided not to vote.
Shortly before the national elections, the item was removed from a council meeting agenda, for reasons unknown.
Comments
During the public participation process a total of 19 written comments were received - eight in favour; eight not in favour and one which commented on the way the by-law was compiled. Among those who are opposed to the idea of extended liquor trading hours are Hermann Reuter on behalf of the Smoking and Alcohol Alleviation and Rehabilitation Association (Sahara) and the Parish of St Alban.
The Thembalethu Tavern Owners Association indicated its approval of the proposed by-law.
Others stated that because retail stores weren't allowed to sell alcohol on Sundays, tourists frequent other towns such as Knysna and Great Brak River where trading is allowed, spending their money elsewhere. The Sunday ban also promoted the illegal sale of alcohol in George - often at hugely inflated prices.
The other side of the coin is that liquor store employees had every Sunday off to spend with their families and friends, but this will now end. Their competition, supermarkets, have always been open on Sundays and will now be able to sell alcohol as well. This will force liquor stores to also open their doors on these days, as they need to remain competitive.
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