Technicalities keep some EL pubs unlicensed

The Eastern Cape Liquor Board has not renewed the liquor licences of over 200 establishments, including the Border Cricket Club and East London Airport's business class lounge.

A number of those listed as having not been renewed were because of technicalities and won't necessarily close their doors to patrons.

The board said businesses could either have quoted the wrong reference number or failed to provide proof of payment. They are now encouraging the 267 businesses who had not had licences renewed to contact the board and provide proof of payment.

Nick's Foods Spar owner Kriton Esstratiou, whose licence had not been renewed, said there was obviously a misunderstanding.

“We are busy speaking to our lawyers. All our liquor licences go through them. We will get to the bottom of this,” said Esstratiou.

He said his attorneys assured him the licence had been renewed.

Border Cricket Board accounts supervisor Trish Swartz also said there was a misunderstanding.

“We paid on October 24 last year. I was shocked when I heard that, but we paid in October,” said Swartz.

Head of SAA group corporate affairs Robyn Chalmers said: “All SAA's lounge liquor licences have been renewed, including those of the airline's business class lounges in East London and Port Elizabeth.

Babalwa Tini, owner of Mimi's, a popular tavern in Quigney, said her liquor licence was in order and she would resolve the matter with the liquor board today.

Last year some of East London's top establishments found themselves in a similar situation.

Among them were top East London restaurant Smokey Swallows, Michaela's Restaurant in Chintsa and Inyathi Pub and Grill in Quigney.

Source: Daily Dispatch

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