Local business operators and city staff are waiting to see what the recent recommendations to loosen up British Columbia's antiquated liquor laws will mean for New Westminster.
But Terminal Pub and Liquor store general manager Alessandro Frau isn't too rattled by the 73 proposed changes, including one that calls for grocery stores to sell booze, and doesn't expect the pub's liquor store will take a big hit once the changes are implemented.
"There's always that uphill climb for a little guy like us, but at the end of the day, there might be some things that we can offer that can't be found there, and depending on what the rules are and regulations with the stores, we might have to just structure the store a little differently - to be able to still create a good opportunity for our clientele," Frau said.
The manager of the downtown pub acknowledged that some customers will be attracted to the convenience of buying their liquor with their groceries, but he still think there will be a place for specialty liquor stores.
"Private liquor stores can still maybe offer some benefits, depending on the niche market you are looking to supply and what type of store your want to have," he said. "Our store, in particular, is relatively small. We already compete quite heavily with the government liquor store, which is right across the street."
Other recommendations include permitting children to accompany their parents into pubs, allowing Happy Hours, removing beer garden barriers and less red tape for local liquor manufacturers.
The sale of liquor in grocery stores includes restrictions, such as maintaining the current cap on the number of retail outlets in the province. As well, liquor sales must be separate from food and the new retail models would be "phased in," according to the government.
The City of New Westminster's manager of licensing and integrated services, Keith Coueffin, said it's too soon to comment on what the recommendations will mean for the city.
"The bottom line for us is we are waiting to see the final policies and regulations. We have been made aware of the intention to make changes, and so we will be waiting for the final details. Once we get those final details we will review our regulations accordingly," he said. "We do anticipate that our zoning provision, with respect to the location of licensed retail stores, will have to be reviewed."
Coueffin expects the information on the changes to come within a few months.
"It's a process that will unfold. It's always dangerous for us to predict," Coueffin said. "Once we get clarity, we will review our regulations at that point in time."
The liquor law recommendations stem from a government review and stakeholder input, according to the report by John Ya, parliamentary secretary to attorney general Suzanne Anton.
