Hospitality Business
Food Solutions
Beverage Solutions
Catering Equipment
Hotel Solutions
Furnishings & DecorLiquor Licence during the World Cup
A draft legislation appealing to any pub, restaurant or hotel wanting to screen World Cup games and sell liquor at the same time will have to pay a heavy fee of R 50 000 for a special liquor licence. This has been passed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). The legislation would affect any entity expecting to benefit from the sale of alcohol by attracting people to view matches that are publicly broadcasted. This law is applicable to all hospitality establishments including cinema’s, bars, restaurants, stadiums, open spaces, offices, construction sites, oil rigs, buses, trains, armed services establishments, educational establishments and hospitals.
There is still confusion about this licence as according to some sources, the policy is not proposing an additional special liquor licence for those establishments holding valid liquor licenses. The DTI also suggests that a “public viewing area in the draft policy refers to an area designated and managed by the municipality for the public to view the Soccer World Cup games”. The update also directs those venues wanting to show the games as a commercial public viewing event to apply for permission from FIFA first.
The DTI will have to clarify on their definitions and possibly opt for greater alignment with existing regulations related to the World Cup, to ensure that all the businesses, official and fans are clear on the ‘rules of the game' for June and July. Danie Cronje of Cluver Markotter Incorporated says that “Wine estates must have a licence to produce wine – previously they needed it to sell wines”. Producers who use other producers’ wine cellars will also have to apply for a licence, as will wine estates who sell their stock to existing licence holders, such as hotels, restaurants and liquor stores, currently being exempt from a licence requirement.
Licence applications will also have to be advertised in local newspapers, displayed on the premises, and submitted to the municipalities and ward councillors. Wine estates will not be able to sell more than 30 litres of wine, 10 litres of spirits or 100 litres of beer per day to a person who does not have a liquor licence. A positive aspect from the proposed legislation change is that supermarkets may sell wine up to 16,5% alcohol content, compared to 14%, once the legislation is passed. Also, wine sales on Sundays in supermarkets could also be allowed, subject to municipal approval regarding the trading days and hours.
FIFA’s public viewing event guidelines make provision for those in the South African hospitality industry who wish to continue to make money from patrons through the sale of food and drinks, as well as those who wish to charge an entrance fee and even attract sponsorship from suppliers and other companies.
User Login
