Knysna Allowed to Trade Alcohol on Sundays
Socio-economic benefits are expected for the greater Knysna municipal area as a direct and indirect result of a new alcohol by-law that allows licensed premises to trade on Sundays and hours suitable to the hospitality industry.
Knysna Mayor Georlene Wolmarans said the Knysna Municipality By-law on Liquor Trading Days and Hours was promulgated in mid-December according to the Western Cape Liquor Act, Act 10 of 2010, Section 59(1), which provides for municipalities to determine their own trading days and hours for businesses licensed to sell alcohol, within their area of jurisdiction.
Ms Wolmarans explained that licenced businesses in areas where municipalities did not pass their own liquor trading by-laws by 31 March 2013, would then have to trade according to the stipulations of the Western Cape Liquor Act. These would allow licensed businesses selling liquor for consumption off the licensed premises to sell liquor on any day between 9am and 6pm, and licensed businesses selling liquor for consumption on the licensed premises on any day between 11am and 2am the next day (Knysna, however, has passed their own by-laws which allow bars to be open from 7.30am and bottle stores on Sundays – read more here).
“The hospitality and tourism sectors are major economic drivers in the Knysna municipal area, which was a major motivating factor for council in the determining of trading hours for licensed businesses. As host to several festivals, food and lifestyle events, and a range of outdoor and adventure activities, the greater Knysna area attracts visitors over weekends who then spend much needed money in venues and restaurants. By allowing suitable hours, legal local businesses are given opportunity to operate optimally yet within acceptable parameters that can be enforced by the South African Police Service (SAPS).
“Municipalities with their own hospitality-friendly by-laws are also more likely to attract tourism investors such as hotel groups and event sponsors. All these factors add to potential long term benefits including poverty alleviation, job creation and economic development,” said Ms Wolmarans.
The new licenced alcohol trading days and hours are immediately applicable. To discover how early you are encouraged to get drunk, view the hours here.
Hoping that you all view the opening hours at http://www.knysnakeep.org/knysnas-new-liquor-trading-hours and give your opinion at http://www.knysnakeep.org/what-say-knysna-regards-bars-open-at-7-30am.
As an owner of a bottlestore in Knysna, I am dead against the sale of alcohol on a Sunday, in fact, I am dead against trade on a Sunday by anyone except for hospitality and small businesses. We have once again given into greed and fallen victim to large corporates and landlords. The moral of the story is that we must not complain if our families are neglected and our social structure collapses as a result of neglect.
It is a very ironic government action considering that the Western Cape has the highest addiction rates in the country. There’s no doubt that alcohol (and other drugs) have contributed to the increased crime in Knysna and the extremely high unemployment rate (where the Coloured community is particularly affected). I’m all for entertainment and enjoyment of alcohol but it concerns me how badly it is being abused. As concerning, is that the Knysna Municipality is not concerned.
Every one has the right to do whatever they wish to their bodies and their lives but no one has the right to be part of the knock-on effect that has been so detrimental to families and the community.
PS: Thanks for your input.
“Socio-economic benefits” is open to translation.
Knysna has a massive alcohol abuse problem, especially in the poorer areas. Sunday sales is no good for Monday morning at work. Admittedly, i had a beer on a Sunday at a tavern in Smutsville a few months back. Place was packed and half the people walked badly crooked i.e. realistically, the police weren’t clamping down on it when it was illegal (Sunday liquor trade seems bigger than Fridays’ – ask the hospital when they get most of their injuries).
Of course, the change in law is of obvious benefit to restaurants and liquor outlets in town. The playing field has now been leveled. And tourists do want to drink on Sundays.
More car accidents, domestic violence and liver damage ahead. Tourists will appreciate it, and more money will be spent in the town.
Yep – had just posted my 2-sided comment when i saw yours.