2023 will prove to be a momentous and exciting year for liquor licensing in the province. During this year the licensing process is planned to convert from the manual system which has been in operation since 1918 to a digital online system providing a platform for the performance of the core functions of the Western Cape Liquor Authority. Exciting as this may be it must be borne in mind that the system is still governed by the Western Cape Liquor Act 4 of 2008 and that a sound knowledge of the Act and its implications is required.
The writer chaired the white and green paper committees which gave rise to the 2008 Act in the early 2000s and acted as a Consultant to the Western Cape Government in formulating the present Act and regulations. This firm is therefore able to provide the best possible legal advice and assistance about obtaining and maintaining liquor licenses.
We offer a full service to clients including:
- Applications for liquor licenses for hotels, restaurants, pubs, liquor stores, guest houses, game lodges etc.
- Advice and assistance regarding liquor licenses for property developments in the tourist sector.
- The licensing of wine estates and micro-manufacturers.
- Advising retail liquor chains and supermarkets regarding the licensing requirements of their businesses and applying for the necessary licenses.
- Helping sole traders and new entrants to the liquor industry to obtain licenses.
- Assisting traders in the informal sector to become compliant.
We specialize in assisting the manufacturing and wholesale liquor sector by applying for registrations for the manufacture and/or distribution of liquor with the Department of Trade and Industry and maintaining those registrations on an annual. Among our manufacturing/wholesale clients we count several breweries, the largest liquor distributor in the world and several prominent wine farms and wine estates. Our retail clients include major liquor chains, supermarkets, markets, and sole traders.
We offer a full service at a reasonable cost. Before any matter is undertaken each client is provided with a pro forma invoice setting out exactly what the client can expect to pay for our services.
Having four branches across the peninsula namely at Cape Town, Claremont, Tygervalley and Noordhoek we are in an excellent position to attend to your licensing needs.
You may contact me at solly@caf.co.za or on 0845864224 at any time for assistance.
Solly Epstein (BA.LLB. Stellenbosch)
This article is a general information sheet and should not be used or relied on as legal or other professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact your legal adviser for specific and detailed advice. Errors and omissions excepted (E&OE).