Another change in the new Act—that did not see the light of day under the NDP—is the proposal to split the current ‘club’ designation into two categories, which will be members clubs and nightclubs. Photo: Internet Source

Currently, liquor license holders have to appear before the magistrate on two specific days of the year to request a permit. Many see this as a recession to small business in the VI. As with everything, the government has done over the past 8 years, they have proposed in the new Act to raise fees some 50% in some instance, and over a 100% in other areas. Photo: Internet Source

They were voted out of office in 2007, so it never happened. In 2011-2019 they returned to power and in the ‘Speech from the Throne’ of 2014, 2016 and 2018, again they promised the Bill, however, the House of Assembly (HoA) dissolved last month, January 2019, without the passage of the Bill.

Meanwhile, outgoing Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) introduced just before the HoA was dissolved last month, the Liquor Licenses Act 2018.

No public input

A year before, the NDP regime published a draft, however, there was no public consultation, although nightclub and bar owners have complained for years about the ‘run-around’ they faced in obtaining a liquor license and the hassle of renewal.

Currently, liquor license holders have to appear before the magistrate on two specific days of the year to request a permit.

Many see this as a regression to small business in the VI. As with everything the government has done over the past 8 years, they have proposed in the new Act, to raise fees some 50% in some instance and over a 100% in other areas.

The new Act proposed also called for the creation of a Licensing Board which will have the power to approve and decline applications, but as in best practices, applicants can appeal to a appeals tribunal under the same proposed Act.

What the new law proposed

Another change in the new Act—that did not see the light of day under the NDP—is the proposal to split the current ‘club’ designation into two categories, which will be members clubs and nightclubs.

Members clubs would be able to sell liquor to its members and guests, but must be closed by 2:00 AM.

Whereas nightclubs would be allowed to stay open until 4:00 AM but are required to provide security officers, proper lighting inside and outside and have security cameras.

What are the parties saying?

The New law also proposed some heavy fines for violation of the license and will move from just a 6 months approval to a 1-year liquor license, according to the Act obtained by our news centre.

None of the four political parties on the campaign trail, NDP 1, Virgin Islands Party (VIP), Progressives United (UP) or the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) aka ‘NDP 2’ has raised the bill on their campaign or said whether they will pursue its passage as a priority.