Drinking establishments mushrooming everywhere

Business owners in Queen Street are up in arms with another drinking establishment being opened in the area and demand that the Gauteng Liquor Board account on why another liquor licence was granted.

Also read: Residents concerned about the state of Queen Street

“The area is going down the drain because of these liquor outlets that keep opening in the area. This long street has interesting finds from lovely restaurants to antique shops but over the months they’ve had unpleasant experiences and it’s affecting our business,” said one of the shop owners on Queen Street, Jackie Gerber.

Also read: Business owners in Queen Street, Kensington, petition for change

A petition has been compiled by business owners demanding action to address these challenges in the area.

Also read: Keeping Kensington clean

Ward 118 Clr Neuren Pietersen said he is concerned about how the liquor board conducts the granting of licenses.

“Drinking establishments have been opened and are alleged to trade late into the night resulting in pavements being littered with broken bottles and blood. Some are alleged to be trading illegally.

“I fear Queen Street will suffer the same fate as Jules Street in Malvern, which has seen an increase in an unwanted slum-like element because of the increase in drinking establishments,” said Pietersen.

“It is alleged that another drinking establishment will be opening a coffee shop and business owners said they have not been consulted on the issue,” said Pietersen.

“We are objecting to yet another drinking establishment to be opened. Some of these establishments are attracting unpleasant elements that are affecting our businesses,” said Gerber.

“Customers no longer want to spend the morning strolling down what was once a quiet street filled with character and interesting stores because they are filthy when we return in the morning. We have cleaned up beer bottles and blood off the streets and that is just unacceptable and the owners don’t care,” said Gerber.

Guesthouse manager, Francois Britz, said he has lost business due to noise level being unacceptable.

“The owners of these places have no respect for other business owners and residents. They carry on partying until the early hours of the morning. It affects our guests because they want peace and quiet. Something really needs to be done. We are tired,” he said.

Pietersen said the liquor board is failing the residents by not following proper procedures to ensure that licenses are granted the proper way.

“As the councillor of the area I have not seen an advert in our local newspaper about this place nor is there a notice or advertisement on the door informing residents about the application. Where do they advertise and how is the liquor board approving these licenses? We need to be given an opportunity to object,” said Pietersen.

He said the issue of liquor licenses has been a burning issue and it’s high time the law takes action.

“We really cannot have so many drinking establishments in one area. This is a residential area and there is also a school close by. It affects the children also because they walk down Queen Street to and from school,” said Pietersen.

A meeting was held last year regarding the issue of liquor licenses and Aaron Masina from Gauteng Liquor Board said they are aware of the issues of liquor outlets mushrooming everywhere.

He further said its business as the liquor board is to issue licenses and after that, monitor if holders are abiding by the rules.

He also encouraged the public to report those running their establishments without being license holders.

The EXPRESS requested further comment on the above concerns. At the time of publishing, no comment had been received.

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