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Small bar owners cry foul on Sunday closing hours!

- Many street bars who must close by 9:00 PM on Sundays say it is discrimination as bars in big hotels are not harassed to comply
The incorporation of the Bill of Rights into the new constitution is evidently putting undue pressure on a number of bar owners who are now calling for some intervention to be made on their behalf. Photo: VINO/File
The businessmen are of the opinion that the decision to limit their opening time was designed to give preference to some ‘so called’ Christians in certain communities. Photo: VINO/File
The businessmen are of the opinion that the decision to limit their opening time was designed to give preference to some ‘so called’ Christians in certain communities. Photo: VINO/File
A check with a number of restaurants and clubs solidified the complaints of the bar owners. Photo: VINO/File
A check with a number of restaurants and clubs solidified the complaints of the bar owners. Photo: VINO/File
Talk show host Mr Edmund Maduro reiterated some of his concerns with this news site on the subject of early bar closures. Photo: VINO/File
Talk show host Mr Edmund Maduro reiterated some of his concerns with this news site on the subject of early bar closures. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The incorporation of the Bill of Rights into the new constitution is evidently putting undue pressure on a number of bar owners who are now calling for some intervention to be made on their behalf.

“This is definitely not working for our good, Sundays is one of the brightest days for business second to Fridays but we cannot go beyond 9:00pm on Sundays and I don’t see the sense in that,” said one bar operator who chose not to be named.

His complaints reflected those of at least three others who find themselves in the same situation. “We are all licensed business operators, this discrimination between big clubs, restaurants and these kinds are just not right. It’s saying you got more rights than the others,” another told Virgin Islands News Online.

The businessmen are of the opinion that the decision to limit their opening time was designed to give preference to some ‘so called’ Christians in certain communities. “This whole thing has to do with some people in certain neighbourhoods complaining about men drinking on the so called holy day, but what makes Sunday more holy than Saturdays or any other day,” one peeved bar operator said.

A check with a number of restaurants and clubs solidified the complaints of the bar owners. When contacted, a number of restaurants and eating houses have said they have no restrictions to the time they close operations on Sundays. “It has to do with your license. I am not a bar I am a Club,” said a member of  the management of Club Opium.

The act of closing off at 9:00pm was addressed on BVI Forum which was a TV programme hosted by Mr Edmund Maduro and aired on CBN channel 51 during 2013. Back then, Mr Maduro had spoken on behalf of the bar operators.

Speaking with this news site yesterday, Mr Maduro reiterated some of his concerns on the subject. “The sad thing is these guys are afraid to come out openly and speak for themselves, they staying under the covers and talking about they are so scared of discrimination,” said Mr Maduro.

As explained by Mr Maduro and some of the bar operators, prior to the revision of the constitution which came into effect in 2006, the there was no distinction between the operating hours of bars from that of clubs and restaurants.

“I begged them not to incorporate that bill of right into the constitution this is the effect of that action here now. It is discriminating against some people and that in itself is a breach of the constitution as it relates to rights of every person,” stated Mr Maduro.

“What we want is for them to relook at that statute and make some amends. Closing at 9:00pm on Sundays is not working. We need equal rights and justice,” said a bar owner.

22 Responses to “Small bar owners cry foul on Sunday closing hours!”

  • . (02/01/2014, 09:58) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    thats what the ndp did to ayo.
    • nan (06/01/2014, 19:55) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Have any of you considered the people who live near the bars who have to go to work the next day or the children who have to get sleep before school the next day? Bad enough we have to listen to this 6 nights in a row. Why do they have to be open 7 days? Just curious as to what you all will answer to these questions.
  • vex (02/01/2014, 10:10) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Poor the little man
  • How Stupid (02/01/2014, 10:22) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    How stupid are we? What else is the Caribbean about other than parties and rum? First we stop the parties by turning away visitors with our immigration policy. Now we are stopping the rum by closing the bars. So we found a third market which is being a tax haven. So what do we do next? We give foreign governments and banks all the information they want on all the accounts held in out territory and so we essentially wipe out that sector as well. It seems our leaders have sh*t for brains. We'll soon need to sell off the country to various vacation and hotel cartels - and then the biggest hopes our daughters will have is to get a jobs at the local Marriott (reference St. Kitts). Our young men's greatest hope will be to buy a taxi and service the few visitors whom the immigration department hasn't turned away. What a bright future!
    • i was hacked (03/01/2014, 09:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I stand and applaud you. I couldn't have said it any better, the people are getting frustrated, as soon as they find a way to make money the Gov shuts it down. The Gov doesn't seem to care, It's like they want the V.I to spiral into poverty. The youth damn near have no activities and the older generation has a limited of social places to come together.
  • open wide (02/01/2014, 10:32) Like (12) Dislike (14) Reply
    I say shut dem all down
  • OBE (02/01/2014, 10:37) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Hope the lady with the bottle will lobby to have this corrected so I can get my drink after church Sunday nights
  • Buff-Baff (02/01/2014, 11:42) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    I can't wait to see what they will tell Bomba when a full moon night falls on a Sunday!
    • Hmmm.... (02/01/2014, 16:47) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Not Bomba alone....what will they make Trellis Bay also shut down early if it falls on a Sunday?!...
  • Ridiculous (02/01/2014, 11:49) Like (1) Dislike (13) Reply
    Edmund if your intention is to get drunken man behind you for Election 2015 your approach is all wrong. First of all there are bars open in places that are not practical. 2nd: Have our Government taken into consideration the amount of men and women that are dying from liver failure and other diseases related to addictive drinking? 3rd: All the bars need to be shut down or better reprimands or enforcements need to be applied. This is a waste of topic..... We don't need extended hours we need objections to be raised in the court by influential people cause the court, police and government surely not listening.....
  • tv (02/01/2014, 12:36) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply

    Too much drunk in the place

  • Real! (02/01/2014, 14:12) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply

    As a Tourist destination I don't see the harm in letter bars/restaurants go until 12am on a Sunday and until 1-2am on regular days. What the Polices should monitor is loitering and noise as some of these bars are located in residential areas and are 'open aired' so all the noise echos outward. Other than that, closing down these institutions at 9pm 'just because' doesn't make sense. For those talking about drunks, all establishments should use their discretion and not serve anybody who had too much. Then the Police need to enforce the drunk driving laws and that's that. You don't stop people from being drunk by closing the bars. All they will do is start drinking from earlier. A little common sense goes a long way and all they have to do is update the Legislation to suit. Some Churches have no problem with this as they collect all their thousands weekly far before 9pm.

  • Serpico (02/01/2014, 16:52) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    As explained by Mr Maduro and some of the bar operators, prior to the revision of the constitution which came into effect in 2006, the there was no distinction between the operating hours of bars from that of clubs and restaurants.

    maduro is wrong on this. Check the legislation under Licquor license
    • Slim Jim (02/01/2014, 17:46) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
      I have to agree with Serpico on this issue.... While Mr. Maduro and others are blaming the Constitution of 2007, the hours of closing establishments that sell Liquor is actually mandated by a much older document: The Liquor Licences Act (Cap. 106) of 1964. You can read it for yourself at http://www.ird.gov.vg/Publications/Legislation,Acts,Policies.aspx

      Let's educate ourselves people, and stop getting worked up by "he say, she say"... If there is a concern about the antiquated provisions of the current Liquor Licence Act then take it up with your elected representatives. But beware, when you get it revised, the days of paying "little to nothing" (e.g. $17.50 - $25.00 for a Bar Licence) are going to go as well... be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.

      As far as the alleged "evil "Christian influences at work here, we may not be a Christian society, but it is a society where Christian values are predominant and have certainly molded and shaped not only our ethics and cultural practices. While there are certainly flaws in the way that many persons practice Christianity, that is not to say that one needs to criticize and call down the whole system. It's kind of like nobody hiring you since you may be a thief (because they heard that your great gran-daddy was crook, and his blood flows through your veins)... silly, isn't it? So please, stop blaming Christians for everything... we are people too :)
  • Slim Jim (02/01/2014, 17:48) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oh, and while we are at it.... Since they are crying foul, I sure hope these Bar owners are up to date with their Trade Licences, Liquor Licences, Taxes and Social Security. The squeaky wheel gets attention before it gets the grease!
    • wise up (02/01/2014, 22:16) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply

      slim Jim sounds like an IRS agent(once you are black in the BVI there always be some fool(slim jim) try in insight a riot...cant even make a dollar in your home land......

  • wise up (02/01/2014, 22:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Maduo is real "TALK" show host....Stop the talking and go meeting the minster responsible for that subject but one bar owner can not do it by them self it has to a unified approach to solve this issue…..maduro talking that thing for years on radio and TV BUT to this day nothing has changed…Maduo is real “TALK” show host…no solutions to the issues/just old talk !!!!!
  • goat water (03/01/2014, 06:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What else is new here? The poor always going suffer as long a NDP rule
  • Bias (03/01/2014, 17:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well in that case respect should be shown to religions who celebrate the sabbath on Saturdays. Hell close everything on the weekend.
    • damnation (04/01/2014, 06:50) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply

      You can scatter your Judas self but Sabbath keepers set of bad minded ppl

  • trrefdrfds (04/01/2014, 06:12) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The goverment appears to have we the people weak and in a daze.

  • Full moon Sunday (04/01/2014, 13:05) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The full moon calendar 2014

    Here you see the full moon calendar with the full moon dates of 2014 and exact times and dates in an overview.

    Thursday, 16 January 2014, 05:52:12 am
    Saturday, 15 February 2014, 12:53:00 am
    Sunday, 16 March 2014, 06:08:24 pm
    Tuesday, 15 April 2014, 09:42:18 am [**]
    Wednesday, 14 May 2014, 09:15:54 pm
    Friday, 13 June 2014, 06:11:30 am
    Saturday, 12 July 2014, 01:24:54 pm
    Sunday, 10 August 2014, 08:09:24 pm
    Tuesday, 9 September 2014, 03:38:12 am
    Wednesday, 8 October 2014, 12:50:36 pm [**]
    Thursday, 6 November 2014, 11:22:54 pm
    Saturday, 6 December 2014, 01:26:48 pm


    Time specified in Central European Time (CET) or Summer Time (CEST)


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