Cayman Islands legislators seem ready to readopt a law that’s been off the books for 23 years in an attempt to protect communities from the spread of businesses that sell alcohol.
Last week, Legislative Assembly members unanimously agreed on an amended private members motion calling for new establishments that have liquor licences to be kept at least 1,500 feet away from churches, schools, public beaches, homes for the elderly, civic centres, or any other such public establishment.
That requirement is expected to be considered as part of a wholesale review of the island’s Liquor Licensing Law, due to be completed in the spring. After the review is complete, new legislation is expected to be drawn up.
A similar law, preventing businesses that sell liquor from operating within 1,500 feet of a school or church, was removed in the mid ’80s.
The original proposal drafted by Opposition Leader McKeeva Bush asked that a 3,000 foot distance requirement be established for businesses that have new liquor licences. Government objected to that as an ‘unrealistic’ option.
‘But there really is no reason for government not to accept (Mr. Bush’s) motion, if the distance requirement is amended,’ Mr. Clifford said Thursday in Legislative Assembly.
The review of the Liquor Licensing Law could lead to other changes including an increase in the cost of obtaining a licence from government, which stands at CI $2,500. What the increase would be isn’t known.
Also, Mr. Clifford has suggested that government ban the practice of one business owner transferring a liquor licence to another owner.
The Cayman Islands has instituted a moratorium on new liquor licences, which means the existing 551 licences, of various categories, have increased in value. Mr. Clifford said the situation has created a black market for those licences where some have been sold for as much as $200,000.
Mr. Bush said the moratorium on new liquor licences should continue, but he disagreed that the practice of transferring licences should be stopped.
‘We cannot say that this country does not have enough liquor licences,’ Mr. Bush said. ‘But for a business going bankrupt, a licence may be its prime and only asset.’
‘If you stop that licence from being transferred they would lose their whole investment. I don’t see what you would get out of banning transfers.’
The review of the Liquor Licensing Law was first suggested last spring during a meeting of residents opposed to a plan that allowed Jacques Scott Wine and Spirits to move to Countryside Shopping Village in Savannah. The previous store in Red Bay Plaza was forced to move because that centre was being demolished to make way for a new road.
Some residents and church groups vehemently opposed the transfer of the liquor store to what they called Savannah’s traditionally dry community. It’s believed the enactment of distance requirements would have prevented Jacques Scott from moving into Countryside.
‘I will settle for nothing less than the proper amended legislation,’ said Health Minister Anthony Eden, a strong critic of the liquor store’s move to Savannah. ‘We must stop talking out of both sides of our mouths.’
There has been some dispute over whether Savannah could technically be considered a dry community. Pedro Castle held a liquor licence there for years, although it had only been used when hosting special occasions such as weddings or other celebratory gatherings.
The government recently granted a licence transfer, which allowed the former owner of Durty Reid’s Palace to re-establish his restaurant and bar at Pedro. The new location is called Reid’s at Pedro and will sell alcohol. However, government officials said it would be operated as a family restaurant.
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