GRTU calls on Gonzi to act on alcohol ban

The Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises – GRTU has written to the Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi urging him to intervene in view of the “draconian” laws banning the sale of alcohol in places of entertainment.

The GRTU said it was against any form of abuse but it was unacceptable that confectioners had to choose between remaining open and not selling alcohol or selling alcohol but closing by 9 p.m.

It said licence conditions were an essential part of the value of a business and could not be changed overnight.

Earlier this month, The Times reported Tourism Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco questioning the interpretation by the police of the law to ban alcohol at a James Blunt concert.

The law lays down that “a place of entertainment cannot sell alcohol if there are minors” but during the concert, the police took this to mean that alcohol could not be sold if under-17s were present.

The prohibition was based on a 1995 legal notice, last amended in 2009, intended to prevent the sale of alcohol to minors and to provide access to places of entertainment if no alcohol is provided.

The GRTU proposed allowing confectioners to retain all their licences but they could be banned from selling alcohol after 9 p.m. in certain localities and in particular periods of the year through by-laws issued by local councils.

The Prime Minister’s initial reply was that he would discuss the issue with the minister concerned but he disagreed with what had been proposed, the GRTU said.

The government was all for facilitating business but it would not tolerate abuse with regard to alcohol, the GRTU said it was told by Dr Gonzi.

The GRTU agreed that abuse needed to be curtailed but pointed out that it was an exaggeration to restrict everyone.