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Many bars/clubs closed for want of liquor license

-Police/ Inland Revenue Officers allegedly failed to properly ID themselves
Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) clamp down on bars/clubs over the past weekend. Photo: VINO/File
Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards presided over the sitting of the court for the issuing of licenses on June 2, 2014. Photo: File
Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards presided over the sitting of the court for the issuing of licenses on June 2, 2014. Photo: File
Monday June 2, 2014 was the day when business owners flooded the court as it was the sitting for licenses. Photo: VINO/File
Monday June 2, 2014 was the day when business owners flooded the court as it was the sitting for licenses. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – During the long holiday weekend when several bar and club owners were eyeing the opportunity of good business, officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force brought the hammer down forcing them to close their operations.

It appeared that only Tortola was affected as calls to Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda and Anegada revealed that it was business as usual for them.

The issue was the pending renewal of their liquor and other license by the Magistrate’s Court. Monday June 2, 2014 was the day when business owners flooded the court as it was the sitting for licenses. The process was presided over by Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards.

The day was one of obvious frustration and disappointment by most of the business owners as witnessed by this news site. Several persons were complaining that the process, for the first time as far as they could have recalled took much longer that previous sittings with other magistrates.

“The magistrate came down with a big hammer and to me it was without any consideration for us. Yes we understand that she was sticking to the books word for word line for line, iota for iota but even with the law you can be considerate with persons,” said one bar owner.

It was this that led to police officers clamping down on the bars and clubs over the past weekend, Sunday June 1, 2014.

This news site spoke with no less than five businesses that were affected, however, considering the fact that they have to return to the court, in the hope of getting their license, they have all asked not to be named; the business operators nor the bars, clubs and restaurants.

It was said by three business persons that they found themselves in the predicament as among other things the officers, both police and Inland Revenue, failed to properly identify themselves to staff on duty at the time of visiting for inspection. In one case a business operator said that she was not at the business place at the time of the visit to stop them from operating.

“They called me; I kept asking the person who said he was a police officer what was his name and he didn’t tell me just say he closing down my business. I wasn’t there and they closed down my place,” alleged the business operator.

Another claimed that with officers for the Inland Revenue Department went their place for inspection prior to the date of court, his staff refused to cooperate as the officer/s failed to properly identify themselves.

“They were given a little hard talk because the person on duty at time didn’t know why they were asking from information and they had no ID, at least that’s what I was told because I wasn’t present,” alleged the business person.

Another said that business was flowing smoothly when suddenly the police officers came in and ordered the business be closed for the lack of liquor license. “That was straight what they did just close down my place.”

Most of the business operators said that they were forced to spend as much as $10k to put certain things in place in order for re-inspection in the hope that they would be granted their license when they return to court on June 17-18, 2014.

“We have opinions to share about this whole thing but we can’t at this time. Right now we at the mercy of these people and you know how things go here in this small Territory, I don’t need to say more,” stressed one.

Another said, “I don’t want people to get the impression that the reason why license were not renewed was because of anything major or dangerous to our customer, some things were like a sign, or a painting, them not being sure if the place was properly sound proof, they feel kitchen needs ‘niceing’ up and things like that. Nothing of safety or health risk and that’s why I think they could have allowed us to continue to operate but have those things addressed in short order,” said the business person.

At least three of the business operators said that with them being prohibited from operating as usual they were forced to send home staff and in one instance staff is still awaiting payment even they had to go home until such time that things are legally fixed at the level of the court.

18 Responses to “Many bars/clubs closed for want of liquor license”

  • pelican (12/06/2014, 08:13) Like (11) Dislike (10) Reply
    look how thet deal with teh lil man what a shame
    • justice (12/06/2014, 21:13) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      Thank you Madam Magistrate. We have to start restoring law and order here in the BVI. We have become much too lawless.
  • BVI Citizen (12/06/2014, 09:12) Like (12) Dislike (13) Reply
    So what are they really trying to accomplish in doing this.... Do they realize that by closing the businesses down they cannot generate any revenue and intern cannot pay their employees. Like really, are they thinking with a clear mind and full overview of how this will effect the territory and its people?
  • change (12/06/2014, 10:36) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
    It is high time to remove the issuing of liquor licenses from the hands of the Magistrate. This matter ca be addressed by a Liquor Licencing Authority that will deal with licenses all year roud. The Magistrate don't have enough work to do than to be dealing with the issuance of liquor licenses. That's one piece of legislation that need revision. This is clearly not a matter for the Magistrate's Court. This is an administrative function that can be addressed admiistratively. Move over to modern times, Deputy Governor.
  • so wrong (12/06/2014, 12:17) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    CAN SOMEONE TELL ME WHY THE MAGISTRATE CHOOSE THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND TO TAKE ACTION ON THE LIQUOR LICENSE (IT APPEARS TO BE AN WILFUL ACT). I ALSO KNOW THAT NOT EVERY BUSINESS PLACE WAS NOTIFIED. AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE GOVERNMENT IS KILLING THE BUSINESS AROUND THE BVI.
  • Edward (12/06/2014, 12:26) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    What about the bars operating out of a car at a certain beach. Was he inspected? What about a famous shack bar made of sea wood, was he made to make things nice, put in plumbing, soundproofing? This is going to ruin the tourist bars that Tola is famous for. What about the strip clubs that stay open past legal hours, were they given new permits? Too many regulations and no equal treatment.
  • come (12/06/2014, 13:35) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
    when ever the ndp in power the poor suffer
  • Law Reform (12/06/2014, 13:59) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    There is a difference between a BAR LICENSE and a CLUB LICENSE please know the difference before talking BS
  • rapping joe (12/06/2014, 15:05) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    The poor man with his little bar has no rights only the big white color Politians
  • BS (12/06/2014, 15:22) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    only the big white color Politians........yous must be blind boy, aint no white color politians here, go sit you a--sss down
  • Hush (12/06/2014, 16:24) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    These business owners are not first timers. They know exactly what they are suppose to do to obtain and maintain a liquor license. Don't blame the process or the Magistrate for doing their job. Make it right. Because other magistrates use to over look a lot of stuff that don't make it right. You don't have a liquor license you cannot operate. simple and in short order. I bet by the 17-18 they will be in order. lil man my behind. Tell the lil man to keep he place in order so that when he come back 1st December 2014 it won't happen again.
  • polo (13/06/2014, 00:19) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Well bar owners is going to find life very difficult for the rest of the NDP term because goverment broke and anything to keep paying civil servants before the next elections
  • wize up (13/06/2014, 06:36) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    laws are good but when only the small gets preasured under the law is bad....the same law now need to make those whites stop blocking our beaches; what a shame !!!
  • bat cave (13/06/2014, 09:29) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Me feel for the poor and powerless
  • Hmm (13/06/2014, 12:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    So how come labour dept granted permit for the bar tenders (workers) when the bar does not have a licence to operate hmm.
  • Billfargo (19/06/2014, 01:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Call it what it is! Marshal Law in a Police State.


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