Retailer withdraws liquor licence application after opposion

RETAILER Pick n Pay has again not been successful in its plans to get a liquor licence on the Atlantic Seaboard.

The Camps Bay Ratepayers Association (CBCRA) and local community police forum (CPF) were against the idea and called on the retailer to reconsider its plan.

Although he was not willing to divulge the reasons, CBCRA chairperson Chris Willemse said, together with the CPF, they were proud to announce that after discussions with Pick n Pay, the liquor licence application for the Camps Bay store will be withdrawn with immediate effect.

“The CBCRA and CPF are grateful that the executive team from Pick n Pay led by Jarett van Vuuren took the time to listen to the community concerns which were raised and their underlying problems with liquor licences in the suburb.

“The CBCRA is committed to having an open dialogue with Pick n Pay in the future on this topic and to promoting the interface between the retailer and the community.”

Willemse said Camps Bay has no off-consumption sales licences and the community has over the years expressed its opposition to the granting of such licences.

“Firstly, off-consumption alcohol sales are often linked to anti-social behaviour, which is certainly not in the interests of the community. This and the sale of alcohol so close to the beach is problematic, given the thousands of beachgoers who regularly visit the beach in summer.”

He said most tourists are unaware of the prohibition of alcohol on the beach and may unwittingly breach the law and have to face the consequences.

“Of equal concern is the issue of precedence. Clearly, if one licence is issued, then many will follow and the problems outlined above will escalate exponentially.”

Willemse said they were appreciative of Pick n Pay’s willingness to accede their request and withdraw their application.

This is not the first time Pick n Pay was not successful in its plans to acquire a liquor licence on the Atlantic Seaboard. In July this year, the Western Cape Liquor Authority’s liquor licensing tribunal refused to grant Pick n Pay a licence for its Pick n Pay Express convenience store at the BP garage in Regent Road.

Residents from Sea Point, Fresnaye and Bantry Bay lobbied against the issuing of the licence.

Responding to the withdrawal of its application, Pick n Pay said it respected inputs from communities.

“We are always respectful of communities where we trade. We met with the Ratepayers’ Association and agreed to work closely with them in the future on these matters.”

In the recent crime statistics released by Police Minister Bheki Cele, alcohol plays a major role in the increase in crime in the country.

South Africa has one of the highest car crash rates in the world, 58% of which were alcohol-related.

MANDILAKHE TSHWETE CAMPS Bay residents stood against Pick n Pay over its plans to open a liquor store in the area. |