The Ndola City Council has closed down six night clubs in the Central Business District and five others in Ndeke Township for operating beyond permitted hours.
The Local Authority that recently warned liquor traders to operate within the confines of the Statutory Instrument Number 64 of 2012, of the Licensing Act, Number 20 of 2011 on permitted hours will continue to police the district and will not take kindly to business owners expressing ignorance of the law.
Those closed down are Curious, East Point and E 10 night clubs as well as Viewers, Holings and Ethel Pashel pubs in Central Business District who were found operating way beyond their prescribed hours and without an approved extension from the council.
Council Public Relations Manager Tilyenji Mwanza said the Council also visited Ndeke Township and closed five bars at Chinda’s namely; John Mulele, Brimas, Marvin Chanda, Collins Besa and Diason Bar.
Ms Mwanza said all the 11 liquor trading places have been ordered to pay a penalty and will be watched closely.
She has warned the 11 that the failure to comply with the stipulated regulations in the act will result in the revocation of their liquor license.
Ms Mwanza has also warned alcoholic business operating premises that the Council will be taking necessary action against any premise that will be found operating beyond the permitted hours without an approved extension from the council.
“Be reminded that the permitted trading hours for a bar is 10.00hrs to 22.00hrs, Bottle Store (Retail liquor) 10.00hrs to 22.00hrs, Night Club/Social Club Liquor 10.00hrs to 24.00hrs while Wholesale is 08.00hrs to 18.00hrs”, she said
Meanwhile, Ms Mwanza warned residents against noise pollution especially those in the business of liquor trading.
She said the Council has noted that many retail liquor trading places are now turning their places into bars and polluting the environment with very loud music way above the prescribed decibel limit.
I feel those in the CBD can be given some leeway. They should just clampdown on those operating near residential areas.
No leeway for anyone. Alcohol is the world’s greatest drug. It is a gateway drug.
Well done Ndola City council. If only Lusaka drunk city council could do the same.
You need toSupport entreneurship and you need to know business management ba Ndola City Council. The world nowadays operates 24 hours. Councils are being naive by restricting licences to those ‘daylight’ hours of colonial days. All what the councils need to do is charge differently for different licences.
Overnight Licences 10:00 to 06:00 should cost much more than
Night Club/Social Club Liquor 10.00hrs to 24.00hrs. That way Council makes its money and Business makes its money.
We need someone to do this in Lusaka Kabwata area near Kabwata cash and carry residential area
This is a good move by the Local Authority! What is even better is that the show of muscle by the Council. Lets get the abuse of alcohol under control. Yes, it may result in higher demand for alcohol in the short term, but will definitely change the behaviour patterns of our people going forward. There is a time and a season for everything under the sun. We should consume alcohol responsibly…
In all honesty, the way we drink and drive openly, go drinking and dancing till 03hrs like we don’t have homes! Drinking is not a problem, lets just do it more responsibly and be more productive. If we do not like the law, lets change it… we are a democracy after all.
Please come nakwa Chipulukusu, bars like pakabakote and the other one near mutende.