Ian Tostenson is President & CEO of the BCRFA
The British Columbia Restaurant and Foodservices Association (BCRFA) is encouraged and grateful today that the Province of BC has approved a temporary wholesale pricing model. Wholesale pricing will be available for licensed restaurants, pubs and bars from July 20, 2020 until March 31, 2021. This is the biggest change in a generation for restaurant operators in our province.
“This is great news for our restaurants and the hospitality industry who have been greatly affected by a dramatic drop in revenue as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” states Ian Tostenson, President/CEO, BCRFA. “The move to the wholesale model may truly save some restaurants who are on the verge of closing.”
Wholesale pricing has been a focus of the ongoing efforts of the Business Technical Advisory Panel (BTAP). The advocacy of the BTAP committee has been essential in ensuring that the voice of operators is being heard in government and that the full range of issues around liquor policy is being considered from every angle. This collaborative approach is very important in such turbulent times. BCRFA is grateful to be working alongside the Alliance of Beverage Licensees, British Columbia Craft Brewers Guild and British Columbia Wine Institute on this important issue.
Currently, businesses in the hospitality industry pay full shelf price for alcohol (retailer wholesale pricing plus the Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) mark up). This change will eliminate the LDB mark-up for restaurants, pubs and bars.
BCRFA staff and board members wish to thank Attorney General David Eby for continuing to be an active voice on behalf of thoughtful change designed to help operators in our sector. The support of Premier John Horgan and the entire provincial liquor licensing team to be innovative and responsive in this time is outstanding.
