Liquor by-law changes published for public comment

By Jurina Nkwazi
04 November 2010

The City of Cape Town has called on the public to have their say on the amendments to the City’s liquor trading by-law be published.

This has come about after some irregularities were noticed within the by-law affecting hotels and other businesses.

Chairperson of the Liquor Policy Task Team Councillor Taki Amira, said, “The amendments will allow hotels in residential areas to open their bar facilities until 02:00, enable wineries to sell their product on Sundays to visitors and tourists, and legalise the concept of champagne breakfasts.”

"After the by-law had already been passed by Council and gazetted, Fedhasa realised that hotels in residential areas would have to close their bar facilities at 11pm.

"This was an anomaly brought about by the inheritance of 27 different zoning schemes, which is being addressed by the new Integrated Zoning Scheme," he says.

A special category has also been added for wineries on wine estates to allow them to sell their products on a Sunday from 09:00 to 18:00.

Members of the public have until 20 November to comment on the amendment by-law.

The draft can be viewed or downloaded on the City’s draft by-law website at www.capetown.gov.za/draftbylaws.

The by-law will come into effect on 1 January 2011.