on Love FM
(88.9) from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Based on the opinions received during this public
consultation and information gathered from earlier meetings with stakeholders,
and in conjunction with the Ministry of Local Government and Chairpersons of
Liquor Licensing Boards, the Mayors' Association will finalize their
recommendations to Cabinet regarding amendments to the Intoxicating Liquor
Licensing Act. Commentators for the talk show will be Belize City Mayor David
Fonseca, Belmopan City Mayor Anthony Chanona and San Pedro Liquor Licensing
Chairman Santiago Acosta. According to a recent press
release issued by the Mayors' Association of Belize, definitions, proposed fees
(U-Urban and R-Rural) and opening and closing hours/days of the week for
individual licenses are as follows: (a) a publican general license for the sale
of liquor in unbroken packages (U/R $2500). (b) a shop license for the sale by
retail of liquor in sealed containers for consumption off the premises (U-$1200,
R-$900), 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Monday - Saturday. No sales on Sunday. (c) a malt
license for the sale by retail of wine, ale, beer or cider for consumption on
the premises (U-$550, R-$300). (d) a beer license for the sale by retail of beer
in sealed containers not for consumption on the premises (U-$250, R-$150). (e) a
hotel license for the sale by retail of liquor for consumption on the premises
(U-$1350, R-$900). (f) a restaurant license for the sale of liquor in the
restaurant for consumption on the premises (U-$750, R-$500), 6:00 a.m. - 11:00
p.m. daily (no extensions). (g) a publican special license for the sale by
retail of liquor for consumption on the premises (U/R-$1500), 10:00 a.m. - 12:00
midnight daily. Extensions for the maximum of two hours at a flat rate of $100.
(h) a members' club license for the supply or sale by retail to the members of
the club and their guests for consumption on the premises (U/R $750). (i) a
vessel license for the sale by retail, by the master of the vessel, of liquor to
passengers for consumption on board the vessel (U/R $300). (j) a nightclub
license for the sale by retail of liquor in the nightclub for consumption on the
premises (U/R $3000), Sunday - Thursday 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 midnight. Extensions
for a maximum of two hours at a flat rate of $100. Friday & Saturday, 10:00
a.m. - 3:00 a.m. (no extensions). (k) a special license for the sale by retail
of liquor at the place and between the hours specified therein (U-$100, R-$50).
Additional changes are proposed in other
areas of the law. Extensions to opening and closing hours are not automatic and
will only be granted after a careful case-by-case review of the respective
establishments by the Liquor Licensing Board. The onus of
responsibility will be solely on the proprietor of the establishment and as
such, should the proprietor be found guilty of disregarding or breaking the law,
severe fines and penalties shall apply: first offense: $500 or three months
suspension of license; second offense: $1000 or six months suspension of
license; third offense: $2000 and termination of license for one year. The
consumption of alcoholic beverages on streets, drains, curbs and sidewalks in
glass bottles shall be considered an offense and the following fines will apply:
first offense: $25; second offense: $50; third offense: $100 + 50 hours
community work.
Members of the public are asked to
peruse the proposed amendments with a view to express any further concerns at
the public forum. Anyone wishing to speak out regarding these issues should take
the opportunity to make their wishes known through the radio talk show December
27
th by calling 02-30258 that
evening. They may also express their sentiments in writing to the Minister of
Local Government by e-mailing msillg@belize.gov.bz.
