Measures enacted by the Province in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that temporarily allows restaurants and pubs to purchase alcohol at wholesale cost instead of liquor store retail prices has now come into effect.
“COVID-19 has been devastating for hospitality and tourism business owners, employees and their families throughout our province,” said David Eby, Attorney General.
“We hope that the financial support that this change represents means the 8,500 restaurants and pubs that employ more than 190,000 British Columbians are able to survive this pandemic and be ready to thrive post-COVID.”
Hospitality customers who have registered with the Province’s Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) can now use a searchable hospitality price list to help with their buying decisions.
A complete online hospitality product catalog will launch on September 1.
The temporary authorization will remain in effect until March 31, 2021.
Previously, hospitality licensees paid full retail price (wholesale price, plus a retail mark-up set by the LDB) on most liquor purchases.
The new model allows licensees to pay the wholesale price products, which is the same cost paid by the government and private liquor stores.