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PE has 20:00 blow for boozers
16/12/2004 23:20 - (SA)
Piet van Niekerk, Die Burger
Port Elizabeth - The Nelson Mandela metropolis's liquor regulations are draconian, illegal and plain stupid, says the business community.
This is how they reacted on Thursday to the news that drinking holes in the metro will have to close their doors at 20:00 from Monday evening.
The owner of one of the beachfront's most-famous watering holes told Die Burger that if the metro was serious about the new regulations, it will not only do serious damage to the tourism industry, but he would have to lay off staff.
The owner, who asked to remain anonymous, said he initially thought it was a belated April Fool's joke when he heard about the "draconian" regulations.
According to regulations that were approved in Bisho last week, pubs, nightclubs, sports clubs, taverns and shebeens may be open from Sundays to Thursdays from 10:00 to 20:00. On Fridays and Saturdays, they can stay open until midnight.
Many say they've been caught unawares
Businesses said on Thursday that the new regulations had caught them unawares.
According to Alfred da Costa, executive chief of the Port Elizabeth Regional Chamber for Trade and Industry, the metro should reconsider its new regulations.
"We were caught unawares. Our members are up in arms. These regulations are definitely impractical."
A tavern owner in Zwide told Die Burger that his liquor licence allowed him to sell liquor until 02:00.
"I will stick to that regulation. Anyway, I can't see how the new regulations can be enforced properly.
"The police are overworked as it is. My feeling is that these regulations are illegal."
The metro's health-committee chairperson said people had to give them a chance to reach their goals with the new regulations.
He said disgruntled pub owners could apply for exemption from the regulations, but applications would be heard only in February when the mayoral committee reconvened.
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