Pubs and restaurants say liquor policy change could save their bottom lines

Kamloops pubs and restaurants are applauding the provincial government for implementing a policy they’ve been pushing for a long time.

Starting August 1, all pubs and restaurants across the province will be able to purchase their liquor at wholesale prices. Currently, owners pay the same liquor prices as the general public does at a liquor store. The move by the provincial government will save pubs and restaurants up to 20 per cent on liquor costs.

Arthur Dolmat, owner of Duffy’s Pub, has been pushing for this change over the course of his 20 years in the business.

“I just didn’t think it was fair that when we go purchase alcohol, it’s the same as every Joe Blow on the street, and we still have to raise our prices so high. It just didn’t make sense,” said Dolmat.

The policy will remain in place until Mar. 31, 2021. For Kamloops establishments that have been hit hard by COVID-19, this will make a signficant difference.

“We’ve been closed for a few months, and having a slow open with limited seating, it’s still hard to pay the rent, pay minimum wage going up in June, so every little help we can get will help the business.”

Owner of the Fox’n Hounds Pub, Al Deacon, added, “It means for us and many others, being able to make it through this pandemic or not.”

Like Duffy’s, the Fox’n Hounds was shut down for a couple months and still isn’t able to fill the restaurant, having to spread tables out.

“Every little bit helps right now with all we’ve been facing,” said Deacon. “Just the cost of goods now during the pandemic. Our costs to put food on people’s plate is certainly more now than it was prior to COVID.”

Owners say the policy change will simply allow them to get back on their feet quicker after lengthy closures.

“It’ll just add to our bottom line, so we’ll be able to forge on forward, and hopefully as things progress and things lift, we can start getting back to regular capacity, and then us and many others who are struggling are going to be able to hopefully get back to some normalcy,” said Deacon.