The Lusaka City Council (LCC) Liquor Licensing Committee which swung into action has closed down five bars and one restaurant in Lusaka for failing to meet the set standards as stipulated in the Liquor Licensing Act No. 20 of 2011.
Meanwhile, the authority has charged Keg and Lion for failure to display their liquor trading licensing.
The Council says the bars closed are Good Tellers, Sims Pub, Hub Pub and Grill, Midway Clans and M’S Liquor Store, all in Chilenje South as well as Time Square in Kabwata and Shinkole’s Nest in Kamwala South.
And speaking during the operation, Kabwata Ward 6 Councillor, Longa Chiboboka, who is the LCC Chairperson of the Liquor Licensing Committee said the bars had been closed due to failure by the owners to meet the stipulated standards.
“We have closed five bars and one restaurant after they were found to be operating without the necessary documents as stipulated in the Liquor Licensing Act No. 20 of 2011. In the same vein, we have also charged Keg and Lion for failure to display their liquor license.”
“As a committee we have also closed a restaurant called Rasoi Daibai Bar and Restaurant in Rhodes Park for illegally selling liquor without a trading license,” he said.
Mr. Chiboboka explained that most bars closed were found operating without health permits, fire licenses and liquor trading licence.
“Most of the premises closed were found to be operating without the necessary requisites such as health permits, fire certificate, business levy and liquor trading license. For example, we discovered that at Hub Pub and Grill in Chilenje South, they were operating illegally without proper toilets,” Chiboboka explained.
He stated that his committee will work hard to ensure that bar owners in Lusaka comply with the set standards as prescribed by the Act; adding that those found wanting will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
“As a committee, we will ensure that the mandate for liquor licensing is not abused. We will only issue licenses to applicants that comply with all conditions prescribed in the Liquor License Act No. 20 of 2011,” he stated.
“We would like to warn bar owners who do not want to comply that they will be charged with penalties once found wanting. Our men and women are on the ground and they are monitoring whatever is happening and soon you will be visited.”

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