The public may comment on or before the 7th of February.
In terms of the bylaw businesses with on-consumption liquor licences such as restaurants, clubs and pubs will be permitted to sell liquor from 11h00 to 23h00 Monday to Saturday in residential areas, and from 11h00 to 02h00 Monday to Saturday and from 11h00 to 23h00 on Sunday in business and agricultural areas.
The bylaw also makes provision for the sale of sparkling wine from 08h00 – 23h00 as part of a meal during an organised function in order to cater for champagne breakfasts.
The bylaw makes provision for supermarkets and liquor stores to sell liquor from Monday to Friday 09h00 to 20h00, from 09h00 to 17h00 on Saturday but no trading will be permitted on Sunday, Good Friday and Christmas day.
Wineries will be permitted to sell during the same hours but will also be permitted to sell bottled wine on Sunday, Christmas and Good Friday.
The bylaw makes provision for the holders of on-consumption licences such as restaurants, clubs and pubs to apply for an extension of trading hours until 02h00.
Unlike the City of Cape Town, which recently amended its bylaw to make provision for the holders of off-consumption licences for liquor stores and supermarkets to apply for an extension of trading hours and Sunday trading, the Witzenberg Municipality has not included a similar provision.
According to Danie Cronjé, the Director of Liquor Law Services at Cluver Markotter Incorporated it is expected that the owners of supermarkets and liquor stores will request the Municipality to amend the bylaw to give them an opportunity to apply for extended trading hours and Sunday Trading.