The Department of Commerce and Investment has formally announced a two-week public consultation period to solicit input on matters related to liquor licensing.

The responses will be used to make informed decisions regarding improvements to the Liquor Licensing Law (2000), which will include structural changes to policies and correct operational challenges.

DCI already has begun to examine the liquor licensing functions, increase its enforcement and compliance efforts, and review the legal and operational structure of the Liquor Licensing Board — the latter being spearheaded by a joint public-private sector review committee.

As a further step, the public is now being asked to submit constructive feedback on matters including, but not limited to, the moratorium on new licences; operating hours; proximity of new establishments to schools and churches; mobile bar licenses; and the current pricing structure.

All submissions must be made electronically to [email protected] on or before 18 October 2013. In order to facilitate a timely review of submissions, persons are being asked to keep their responses brief, and submit them in bullet point format.

Contact details also must be submitted in the event that the review committee needs clarification on anything.