The cost of a liquor licence mainly depends on :

            1.    The kind of liquor licence you want;

2.    The province in which the premises is situated, and

3.    The liquor licence consultant.

 Contact LiquorWise today for an accurate & affordable quote -  tailor made for you!

The time for approval of a liquor licence will mainly depend on :

1.    Your liquor licence consultant – Use a Professional who is known to pursue the application after lodgement.   You need a motivated consultant who is willing to spend time and effort to report on progress and to pressurise role players(liquor board staff) when required;

 2. The quality of the application -  Appoint a consultant who is known for quality applications - not one template for all applications.   This will -

• prevent any delay in approval,and
• allow you a change to have your application fast tracked.  No defective application will be fast tracked.
• 
  

3. How often the liquor board convenes meetings -   In some provinces liquor boards meet once every month and in other provinces 5 times a week.   

 

It is advisable to make use of a liquor licence consultant or lawyer.

Drafting a proper and motivated application for a liquor licence is a highly specialized field of expertise.  It is not advisable for an inexperienced individual to handle his/her own application.   A lot of experience, as well as practical, administrative and legal expertise is required to prepare and present a properly drafted and motivated application.

 

Ensure that your liquor licence consultant complies to the following :

 

1. Fee – “Cheap is usually expensive!”

Don’t focus on the fee only – You may win the “Fee battle”(Cheap fee), but lose the Application war(long approval time).  If you pay  "peanuts", you will get "monkeys"!

 

2.  Experience – There is no substitute!

Practical experience is essential!  Don’t jeopardise your business venture by appointing an amateur consultant.

 

3. Success -  LiquorWise has a 99% success record!

No application of ours has been refused due to a lack of motivation!

 

4.  Qualification – Knowledge & Skill is non-negotiable!

Formal legal training is required if you want a consultant who can guide you through the loopholes and legal concepts of the application process.

 

5. Infrastructure – You need back up, all the way!

Ensure that your consultant is backed up by skilled staff and reliable infrastructure.

 

 

 

Any person who is not disqualified in terms of the Liquor Act applicable in the province in which the licensed premises is situated.   All the current liquor acts list the following characteristics which will disqualify a person :

·         Persons who served a prison sentence without the option of a fine in the preceding 10 years;

·         An unrehabilitated insolvent;

·         A minor;

·         A spouse of any of the above;

·         A person, who had previously been a licence holder, but whose licence had been withdrawn (cancelled) by the liquor board.

It is generally accepted that it is in the public interest to regulate the sale, manufacture and distribution of alcoholic beverages.    Liquor laws are therefore implemented to provide control over :

·         The persons who manufacture and sell liquor and;

·         The premises from which liquor is sold.

Licensing also generates licence fees and other taxable income (eg. tax on gambling revenue on

licensed premises).

This depends on the province in which the licensed premises is situated.   Each province has a different liquor act which determines which liquor licences may be applied for in that specific province.   Licences fall into two main categories :

A.     On Consumption Liquor Licences(Buy and drink on the premises)

·         Hotel liquor licence;

·         Restaurant liquor licence;

·         Wine-house liquor licence;

·         Theatre liquor licence;

·         Club liquor licence;

·         Special licence;

·         Temporary liquor licence;

·         Occasional licence;

 

B.     Off Consumption Liquor Licences (Buy and take away to drink elsewhere)

 

§  Distribution (Wholesale) liquor licence

§  Liquor store liquor licence;

§  Grocers' wine liquor licence;

§  Micro-Manufacturers liquor licence

§  Wine farmers' liquor licence;

§  Special liquor licence;

§  Producers' liquor licence;

§  “Internet” liquor licence;

Each premises has to comply to a basic set of characteristics, which is presented to the Liquor Board on a detailed floor plan, a site plan and photo's(if the premises has been completed).   Some of the most important things which must be indicated are - the consumption area, entrances/exits, storage area, toilets, bar counters. 

The Liquor Board also takes various other factors into account, amongst which are the proximity of the premises to schools, churches and public transport.

Yes. The Liquor Board may impose any condition, which they think suitable. The most common conditions imposed are the following:

·         A restriction on trading hours (eg. 10h00 hours to 02h00 hours);

·         No loud music or loud entertainment in a restaurant;

·         Restrictions to ensure that the licence is only used for the purposes for which  it was intended, eg. that a restaurant does not become a night club.

Yes, but it will be subject to the Liquor Board's approval of the person buying or receiving the liquor licence.

Contact Us to ensure the liquor licence is valid before you make any payment or agree to pay.

Yes, a licence may be moved from one premises to another, but in some provinces it isn’t possible.   

Contact Us to ensure you know whether the liquor licence in question is able of being transferred.   If you are not the current licence holder,  contact us to ensure the liquor licence is valid and therefore transferable before you make any payment or agree to pay.

Such a person would be selling liquor illegally, thereby exposing that person to prosecution by the SAP by way of a fine or prison sentence.

Yes, all provincial liquor licences, as well as national Distribution/Manufacturing licences must be renewed annually.   

The fee depends on the kind of liquor licence.   In most provinces the fees are payable on or before the 31 December of each year, but in Gauteng it is payable within 12 months from the date on which the licence was issued.   Distribution/Manufacturing licence holders are also required to submit a set of forms containing details of annual turnover and related information.

Contact Us for more information on our dedicated Renewal Service or Read More in our Renewal section

Liquor Licence Insurance for liquor licence holders!

A Distribution Licence is granted by the National Liquor Authority.   It is a wholesale liquor licence, allowing the licence holder to sell liquor to other licence holders(restaurants, liquor stores) 24h a day / 7 days a week.   It replaced the old wholesale liquor licence, which was granted by provincial liquor boards.    A Distribution licence is valid throughout South Africa and isn't limited to any provincial borders.

Read more about applying for a Distribution Licence in our Liquor Boards section.

 

There are a number of changes which often occur in a licensed business.   A licence holder must apply for approval beforehand and to prevent illegal trading.    The most common changes are the following : 

 

• a new licence holder (in case of a sale of the licensed business);
• new manager/s appointed;
• the business having moved to a new premises;
• structural alterations to the premises (existing area increased, altered or added to);
• a change in controlling interest of the business (sale of shares or membership interest);

 

Contact Us to assist you to get these changes approved.    Leave it to the professionals and have extra time to focus on your business!