Restaurant industry cheers new liquor licensing rules

VANCOUVER, June 20, 2014 /CNW/ - British Columbia's restaurant industry welcomes liquor licensing changes announced today that simplify the rules and cut red tape for restaurant owners and their guests.

Restaurants Canada, an industry association representing restaurant and bar owners, says its B.C. members have been anxious to implement these changes since December, when the government first announced its support for the Liquor Review recommendations.

Today's announcement means:

• Restaurants can serve a drink without complicated rules on food consumption;
• Licensees can transfer small amounts of liquor between similar types of establishments;
• Licensed establishments can alter their liquor prices during the day and offer "Happy Hour" specials, with a minimum price of $3.00 per drink.

"These changes are a major step forward in modernizing the province's liquor laws," said Mark von Schellwitz, Restaurants Canada's Vice President, Western Canada. "The new rules are much more clear and reasonable for owners, servers and their guests. Allowing business owners to transfer liquor between one another is a simple change that will help ensure they have their customers' favourite products in stock.

"The changes made today will boost industry investment and job creation, and help ensure a strong and vibrant restaurant and foodservice industry. Restaurants Canada applauds Premier Clark and the B.C. government for implementing them."

British Columbia's $10.3 billion restaurant industry is one of the largest employment- and revenue-generating liquor stakeholders. It directly employs more than 170,000 people in every community across the province.

Restaurants Canada is one of Canada's largest business associations, with more than 30,000 members representing restaurants, bars, caterers, institutions and other foodservice providers.

SOURCE: Restaurants Canada

Contact: Mark von Schellwitz, Vice President, Western Canada, 604-685-9655 or cell 604-809-5719