Clubs and bars such as Koncept, Evolve and the Palace Hotel won't pay the usual business licensing fee after a council motion Monday night. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

cost cutting

Licensing fees reduced for struggling Nanaimo bars during COVID-19 pandemic

Feb 4, 2021 | 2:17 PM

NANAIMO — Liquor primary establishments in Nanaimo will no longer pay extra fees for a police program not running during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nanaimo councillors voted unanimously on Monday, Feb. 1 to waive the extra cost bars and liquor primary designated businesses paid for the Bar Watch program.

As explained by coun. Sheryl Armstrong and confirmed by City staff, 29 establishments pay $1,100 for their fees and the Bar Watch program, compared to the $165 paid by restaurants and businesses. The extra costs for the program pay the overtime for Nanaimo RCMP and bylaw officers who attend the bars and pubs, primarily in the downtown core, to keep the peace.

“The Bar Watch program is not running right now because most of the bars aren’t running or being used as restaurants right now,” Armstrong said.

“You can go to Smitty’s and have all the drinks you want and they pay $165. Yet if you want to go to Simonholt or the Queens, they pay $1,100. We’re asking them to pay for a police service that isn’t being used right now and it won’t be happening until COVID is over.”

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City staff say the reduction in fees for the 29 affected businesses amounts to a $27,000 loss for the City.

Mayor Leonard Krog said the motion reflects a difficulty reality in Nanaimo.

Coun. Ian Thorpe was originally against the motion but decided to vote in favour after clarification from Armstrong and staff. He did ask for a staff report in the future for a more intensive look into the Bar Watch program.

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