Titov proposed that the government allow restaurateurs to sell alcohol to take away

The Commissioner for the Protection of the Rights of Entrepreneurs in Russia, Boris Titov, proposed allowing public catering establishments to sell alcohol to-go, similar to stores. The initiative was also made by the President of the Federation of Restaurateurs Igor Bukharov, said RBC with reference to appeals sent to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. The government press service told RBC that they had received the letter and the proposal had been sent to the Ministry of Finance for the preparation of a report.

Catering establishments and retail stores, according to current legislation, must obtain different licenses for selling alcohol. The appeals of Boris Titov and Igor Bukharov note that this restriction was introduced before the introduction of the Unified State Automated Information System tracking sales and purchases of alcohol.

The ban on takeaway alcohol sales, the appeals say, is contrary to world practice. The authors of the letters propose allowing catering establishments to sell alcohol to take away, subject to the same restrictions that apply in stores: sales at certain hours and only to adults. Boris Titov and Igor Bukharov noted that such a measure would increase the profitability of the restaurant industry and increase sales volumes of Russian winemakers’ products.

In November, a group of deputies and senators contributed a bill has been submitted to the State Duma that gives regional authorities the right to restrict the sale of low-alcohol products in public catering establishments located in apartment buildings. December 5 bill approved in the first reading.

According to current legislation, retail sale of alcohol and retail sale of alcohol in the provision of public catering services are different types of activities that require separate licenses. However, a separate license is not required for the sale of low-alcohol products.

Lusine Balasyan