Nomination/Appointment of a Manager
Each licensed business must have an appointed manager. The appointed manager stands in for the license holder in the case where they are not on the premises. Businesses which have registered their liquor licenses in the name of the company must have a manger. The manager must be a suitable person in terms of the Liquor Act. It is advised that a Nomination or Appointment Application is made as soon after the granted license is received.
New Permanent Liquor Licenses
Liquor licenses are divided in two categories namely “on consumption” liquor licenses which means that liquor sold may only be consumed on the premises i.e. Restaurant, tavern, night club) and “off consumption” liquor license which means liquor sold may not be consumed on the premises, i.e. a liquor store, online sale or Micro-manufacturer's license. In addition to this, the Law provides for a Distributors Liquor License or Wholesale Liquor License. (Liquor may only be sold to licensed entities such as Liquor Stores, Pubs etc.) You have to decide what type of liquor business you want to open. Once you are sure which type of business you would like to have, you need to have a suitable premise to trade from. Your premises must be zoned for business, or you must apply for re-zoning to zone your premises for the purpose of trading in liquor. Next, you need to get a SAPS clearance to show you have no criminal record. Read more...
Temporary: Events/Occasional Licenses
If you are planning to sell alcohol at your event, you must apply for a Special Event Liquor License/Occasional Permit. Failure to do so could result in fines or penalties, which certainly wouldn’t do the reputation of your organization any good. Temporary Liquor Licenses only allow the holder to sell liquor to the public during the specific dates applied for and laid out on the license and only on the premises and specific areas applied for and laid out on the license.
Structural Alteration and Name Change
An application for alteration is made when an existing licensed premises is altered in any structural way, or the location of the storage, bar counter, seating area or any other service area is changed. An application for addition is made if an existing licensed premises is expanded by the addition of a further portion/area to the premise. An application for name change is made where the licensed business wishes to change its registered name to another name. Not applying for a name change or structural alteration can result in fines or penalties being incurred.
Transfer of Liquor Licenses
Application to transfer an existing license to an entity/Trust or individual may be made. We can assist you transfer your valid and current license(s) from yourself to another person or entity. A liquor license applies to both the premises as well as the owner of the business who is responsible for the sale or storage of the liquor. If the license holder decides to sell the business or simply leaves, he will then need to transfer the liquor license to a new owner. The new owner must be a suitable person in terms of the Act.
License Renewals
Your Liquor License is valid for a period of All liquor licenses must be renewed annually. Should you fail to do so, your liquor license will expire on its renewal date or on 31 December, depending on the province in which the license was granted. Should a liquor licenses expire, you and your business will no longer be allowed to sell or supply liquor to the public. This means that a new application has to be lodged with the Liquor Board. In some circumstances and in certain provinces, there is the option to restore a liquor license after it has lapsed.
Hearing Representation
The Liquor Authority has, by virtue of its status powers to subpoena individuals to appear before the Board, to impose fines, penalties and other sanctions. Statements made before the Liquor Board amount to sworn statements made under Oath. Applicants may be called to appear before the Board for any reason from defects in the application, clarity on the application, objections or complaints from the public. Trust our specialists to give you the best representation at your hearing.
Business/company registration and Liquor Regulations Advice
The Liquor industry is reliant on legislation. The different Acts, regulations, amendments to regulations, sections and various schedules may be confusing. We have expert, in-house specialists who can give you clear, simplified advice on the meanings and application. Our specialists guide you through the complex legislative terrain and help you maintain compliance. We also offer company registration and Tobacco Compliance services.