New City Liquor By-Law kicks in on New Year's Eve
At midnight, December 31 2010, the City of Cape Town's new Liquor By-Law that regulates alcohol trading hours will officially come into effect.
"The City wants to remind liquor traders in both the ‘on consumption' and ‘off consumption' liquor outlets that the new trading hours kick in at the beginning of the New Year," says Councillor Taki Amira, Chairperson of the Liquor Policy Task Team.
"This means that bars and clubs in business areas will have to close by 02:00 on January 1 2011. Those watering holes in or close to residential areas, which may currently enjoy late trading hours, will have to abide by the new legislation and close by 23:00," he says.
Earlier this month, Council approved final amendments to the by-law allowing hotels to open bar facilities until 02:00 and including the provision of champagne breakfasts. Wineries on wine estates will be allowed to trade from 11:00 to 24:00 and to trade ‘off consumption' from 09:00 to 18:00 seven days a week.
"The City's liquor trading by-law was formulated after a two-year public participation process involving key role players - including the hospitality industry, health researchers and members of the public," he says.
The new municipal legislation is guided by the Western Cape Liquor Act of 2009, which was passed last week. The City of Cape Town by-law follows the same trading hours as those prescribed in the Bill.
These are from 11:00 to 02:00 the following morning for ‘on consumption' premises, and from 09:00 to 18:00 for ‘off consumption' premises, seven days a week.
The former ‘on consumption' hours were from10:00 to 02:00 the following morning with a possible extension to 04:00, and from 08:00 to 20:00 for ‘off consumption'. From January 1 2011, these hours will no longer apply, irrespective of existing licensed hours.
"The City of Cape Town is a large metropolis, with over 3,6 million residents from widely divergent social environments. We have a responsibility to treat all citizens equally and in every way possible help fight the scourge of alcohol abuse.
"This alignment of provincial and municipal legislation will help create a safer and healthier environment for all the residents of Cape Town," says Cllr Amira.
Statement issued by Councillor Taki Amira, Chairperson of the Liquor Policy Task Team, City of Cape Town, December 29 2010
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