Lisa Houweling is a caterer and a director with McJac's Roadhouse Grille in South Surrey.
Photograph by: LISA KING , Surrey NOW
A Surrey caterer is applauding changes to the province's liquor laws that she says will be good for both business and people planning big events.
Lisa Houweling, caterer and a director with McJac's Roadhouse Grille in South Surrey, said the change will make for more profitable businesses and also happier customers.
The change, announced by the provincial government earlier this month, now allows caterers to get a special occasion liquor licence for events for which they're hired. Up to now, caterers were not allowed to get these liquor licences nor to serve alcohol at events, even if their people were qualified.
And as Houweling noted, liquor is generally the more profitable side of a restaurant business, and will help businesses such as the Roadhouse, which has a licensed restaurant, bakery and catering service.
"This will be creating happier customers," she said.
"It's better to have a one-stop (set up) as much as possible," especially for large events like weddings that involve a lot of details and contracts."
The new law brings B.C. into line with other provinces and is expected to support job creation as well as boost the tourism and hospitality sectors.
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