Controller of Inland Revenue, Shunda Strachan appeared at a press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister on Thursday where she spoke on new requirements for liquor businesses in the country to remain legally compliant.

Liquor businesses now have to register with the Department of Inland Revenue before receiving a license. Strachan told reporters, “its is now mandatory for a liquor business to have a certificate of registration and a business license. And so in order for you to get a business license or to get a business license renewed, so even if you have one already, even if you have a license already, you have to do the registration.”

Relevant businesses must be registered three months before applying for a license during which time Inland Revenue will publish the application for public comment and investigation.

Strachan outlined the considerations for granting a registration certificate. She said, “we’re gonna consider the concentration of liquor stores in the area that you’re trying to open the liquor store in. Of course as I said before, proximity to schools and places of worship, the suitability of the premises.” Suitability includes issues like driving up of walking up to the building to purchase alcohol.

The cost to register wholesale liquor business is $100.00, bars and restaurants is $50.00. The Inland Revenue portal opens on September 1st.