Small businesses in Saint Kitts and Nevis could soon benefit from a simpler and more convenient liquor licensing process as the Government moves to amend the Liquor Licence Act.
Presenting the Liquor Licence (Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the National Assembly on September 18, Acting Prime Minister, Honourable Dr. Geoffrey Hanley, said the proposed changes are intended to reduce unnecessary administrative burdens on business owners, particularly those operating bars, restaurants, hotels, shops and other small enterprises.
Under the current system, liquor licence holders are generally required to appear before the Magistrate’s Court each January to renew their licences, even in cases where there are no objections or other matters requiring the Magistrate’s consideration.
“For a sole trader, a day at the Court is a day with the doors closed and a day’s takings lost,” Dr. Hanley said.
To address this challenge, the proposed amendments would establish four scheduled liquor licensing sittings annually, in January, April, July and October, replacing the existing single annual sitting. The revised schedule would also provide greater flexibility for new businesses, which would no longer potentially have to wait almost a year for an opportunity to apply for a liquor licence.
In addition, licence holders seeking renewal would be able to collect their renewal certificates from the Magistrate’s Court Office without appearing in Court, provided there are no objections and the Magistrate has not required their attendance.
According to Dr. Hanley, the measures are aimed at freeing business owners from routine administrative requirements so they can devote more time to running and expanding their enterprises.
Importantly, the proposed reforms would not alter the safeguards governing the sale of alcohol. Existing provisions relating to the grounds for refusing a licence, closing hours, offences and penalties would remain in place. The police and other interested parties would also retain their right to object to the granting or renewal of a licence.
“This Bill is part of this government’s wider effort to make public services work for the people who use them,” Dr. Hanley said. “It saves the time of business owners. It saves the time of our Courts. And it does so without any new cost to the Treasury and without any reduction in public safety.”
Development of the Bill followed consultations with the Office of the Chief Magistrate, the Commissioner of Police and the Ministry of National Security, helping to ensure that the proposed administrative changes maintain the existing regulatory and public safety framework.
The amendments form part of the Government’s broader efforts to improve the ease of doing business in Saint Kitts and Nevis and make public services more responsive to the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises across the Federation.
Source: SKNIS
