By Trudy Simpson, Staff Reporter
SEVERAL OF Kingston's night clubs and promoters of open air dances, have been targeted by the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) for failing to comply with the Council's regulations.
These places are required to have a licence to operate but according to Chief Revenue Officer, Lebert McKenzie, the non-compliance rate could be as high as 60 per cent, despite public education campaigns and an appeal for compliance which dates back to December last year.
This delinquency, he said, will force the KSAC, with the help of the police, to shut down many of these places of amusement, starting the second week in December.
"It's December and a lot of people will be going out. People also spend more money," Mr. McKenzie pointed out, adding that these businesses could lose out on the lucrative Christmas season.
If they come forward to pay the required fees, the KSAC could earn an additional $3 million in revenue for the financial year ending March 31, 2001. Since December, the KSAC has had 860 applications and has gained $3.1 million but this is just a drop in the bucket compared to what could be earned from the number of operations in existence, including more than 10 "sessions" per weekend, Mr. McKenzie pointed out.
He told The Gleaner that notices, containing application forms and licence fees, had been sent out to operators of dances and clubs, many of which were new and were discovered through posters, by word-of-mouth and when they apply for spirit/liquor licences. On Saturday alone, the KSAC identified 17 clubs, ten of which were new. The notices give businesses three days to make an application to the KSAC.
Mr. McKenzie made it clear that there was more at stake than added revenue, namely, the safety of people who frequent these clubs. The licence shows that owners have satisfied the KSAC that persons will be reasonably safe in their clubs because precautions have been taken.
