The sale of alcohol in catering establishments in residential buildings is planned to be limited
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The discussion by State Duma deputies of new restrictions on the sale of alcohol in catering establishments in residential buildings has excited business. The Federation of Restaurateurs and Hoteliers (FRiO) warned lawmakers that due to the proposed initiatives, about 38% of restaurants and bars could suffer damage. At the same time, regulators say that the sale of alcohol in residential buildings is already limited.
Kommersant has read a letter from FRIO President Igor Bukharov dated May 25 to the State Duma Committee on Economic Policy with a request to join a working group to prepare a bill to impose restrictions on the sale of alcohol for establishments in residential buildings.
On May 14, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin reported on his Telegram channel that there were many complaints about the work of so-called liquor stores in residential buildings, which “sell alcohol at night like pseudo-cafes.” At the same time, he raised the issue of banning the sale of alcohol by such outlets at night. Later it became known that the State Duma planned to create a working group to develop a bill to combat such establishments. The State Duma Committee on Economic Policy did not answer Kommersant.
According to the FRIO letter, business understands the state’s concerns about organizations “using loopholes in the law to sell alcohol.” But about 38% of all catering establishments licensed to sell alcohol are located in residential buildings. And additional restrictions to a greater extent bear risks for conscientious market participants, to whom there are no claims from residents and control and supervisory authorities, the letter says. In addition, the FRIO warns that the closure of catering establishments may negatively affect the development of domestic tourism.
Alexei Nebolsin, vice-president of the FRIO, notes that the sale of alcohol in restaurants accounts for 50–60% of revenue, in bars – up to 90%, and a ban on the sale of alcohol at night will lead to the closure of many establishments. The co-owner of the Tigrus holding (manages Osteria Mario, Shvili and Bar BQ Cafe) Henrik Winter notes that it is necessary to fight the sale of alcohol at night in establishments masquerading as public catering outlets. According to him, this problem mainly concerns the regions. “As a rule, in Moscow, high-quality establishments are opened in commercial real estate,” points out Mr. Winter.
Vyacheslav Mamontov, executive director of the Association of Producers of Beer, Malt and Beverages (combines AB InBev Efes, Baltika, Heineken United Brewery), says that conscientious players and consumers will benefit only if restrictions are not directed at the entire segment of draft beer, but only for illegal products.
Igor Kosarev, President of the Union of Producers of Alcoholic Products (includes Rust Group, Beluga Group, Ladoga, etc.), says that the idea of restrictions on the sale of alcohol in establishments in residential buildings also threatens to increase sales of illegal alcohol and carries great corruption risks. “Who and how will decide whether this is a liquor store or a normal cafe?” he points out.
The Ministry of Finance told Kommersant that now the retail sale of alcohol in catering facilities in apartment buildings and in adjacent areas is only allowed in premises with a total area of at least 20 square meters. In addition, they added there, the regions have the right to independently establish additional restrictions on the retail sale of alcohol at such points, including increasing the size of the area of the customer service hall. The introduction of a complete ban, according to the Ministry of Finance, will lead to a reduction in the number of conscientious participants in the restaurant market, which will lead to a reduction in jobs and a decrease in the level of competition. The Ministry of Industry and Trade promised to formulate its position after studying the analytical materials substantiating the initiative of the deputies.
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