DCI Reminds Grand Cayman Liquor Licence Holders to Renew

Grand Cayman Liquor licence holders – including those with music and dancing licences – are reminded of the upcoming Annual Liquor Licence Meeting to be held September 9th, 2019. The deadline for applications is August 16th, 2019.

The Liquor Licensing Board in conjunction with Department of Commerce & Investment, The Fire Department, The Department of Environmental Health and the Planning Department has agreed to streamline the process for Liquor and Music & Dancing Licence renewals.

The Minister of Commerce, Planning and Infrastructure, Hon. Joseph Hew praised the cross-department collaboration, led by DCI, which has brought about the streamlining of the renewal process.

He noted: “this Government has already made strides to end the red tape that makes it overly complicated to run a business in the Cayman Islands, for instance with amendments to the Trade and Business Licensing Law. Now, we are pushing forward with improvements to the Liquor Licence renewal process. This is yet another initiative aimed at helping local business owners and entrepreneurs, as we strike for a key Government priority: to create a strong economy to help families and businesses.”

The Minister went on to stress that further reductions in the application requirements can be expected in the future.

License holders are advised to note the following changes which take effect immediately.

1. Police Clearances are no longer required for renewal applications.
2. Inspections by the Planning Department are no longer a requirement for a renewal application.
3. It is the responsibility of the Licensee to ensure and make arrangements for annual inspections of the licensed premises by the Department of Environmental Health and the Fire Department. 
4. Copies of the inspection report must be retained by the Licensee.
5. Inspection reports are no longer required to submit to DCI with a renewal application.
6. To renew a license, it is required to submit a completed application form for each location and license being renewed along with the licensing fee for each category.
7. The Board will be notified at the Annual Session by the relevant Department of any premises deemed unsatisfactory during the inspection process, prior to the Board’s decision for such license to be renewed.

Business owners may contact the relevant Departments directly should they have any questions relating to inspections. The contact details for the various Departments are:

The Department of Environmental Health: Contact the Department directly at 949-6696 or email [email protected] for information or to schedule an inspection; alternatively you may visit the Department at 580 North Sound Road, George Town. In Cayman Brac, contact the DEH Office at 916-4201.

The Fire Service: The Department suggests that inspections are booked using the Online Planning System (OPS) https://www.planning.ky/ops. Alternatively, you may call or email a specific inspector directly, if so preferred. Applicants are required to have their annual servicing and maintenance reports for all necessary fire protection systems available. The applicable reports will be required to be submitted to the Department for review and consideration prior to the scheduling of the inspection.

Inspectors’ Names and Contact Information:

Mr. Darnely Scott 345-916-0429 [email protected] 
Mrs. Tiffany Ebanks 345-926-8176 (Fire Services) ([email protected])
Mr. James Bodden 345-936-2226 [email protected]

The Port Authority: Vessel inspection requests and fees should be made at the Port Authority location at 45A, Harbour Drive, George Town. All queries can be directed to 949-2055 or email [email protected] or [email protected].

Variations: Any desired change to a licence’ s (a) licensee; (b) the location of the licensed premises; (c) the licensed premises by making addition or alteration; (d) the specified hours; (e) the category of licence; or (f) any condition imposed requires a variation. Variation applications must include all relevant documents, approvals and payment.

Licence Category and Permitted Hours: Please carefully review licence categories and the permitted hours given below to ensure that all applications are made for the correct category as per your business activity.

Licensees must submit all applications at the Business Licensing Counter on the 1st floor of the Government Administration Building. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

The deadline to submit applications is August 16th. Only applications received by the deadline will be considered at the Liquor Licensing Board’s annual meeting on September 9th 2018.

Application forms can be downloaded from the Department of Commerce and Investment’s website www.dci.gov.ky. For more information, contact Shelise Jeffery on 244-2202 or Samone Morgan at 244-2097.

For Sister Islands operations, please contact Lolita Bodden at 948-2400 or Dave Tatum at 244-4401.