“We want to put the bar and nightclub industry in order. Many work illegally, so in the long run we need to think about licensing the entrepreneur working in the industry,” said the association’s co-founder.
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At the same time, Bikšus expressed satisfaction with the government’s decision today to extend the opening hours of the bars from 24:00 to 2:00. Despite the fact that the government decided in favor of entrepreneurs to work longer nights, Bikšus stressed that
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Latvia still lags behind its neighbors – Estonia and Lithuania, where nightlife continues until the early hours of the morning.
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“Hospitality remains in the memory, so it is important to develop it,” said Bikšus.
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As the bar industry not only employs a significant number of staff, but also contributes to the development of the entertainment industry, tourism and the urban environment, it is important to pay attention to what is happening in it. The Latvian Bar Association has emerged as an initiative of working professionals from the industry itself – aware of the existing problems and offering real solutions.
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“Only in times of crisis can we most clearly understand the size of the ‘holes’ that need to be filled in connection with our industry. No one else will do it, except ourselves – professionals from various Latvian bars. We have come together under one roof to participate together. Edgars Grišulis, one of the co – founders of the association, co – owner of the Gimlet Nordic cocktail bar, emphasizes.
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He points out that, working together, there is a much greater experience and opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the priorities that are most relevant to the industry as a whole, and a greater chance of being heard in the relevant public institutions. “Also in this way we have the opportunity to react faster, notice and draw attention to potential shortcomings in the legislation,” comments the businessman.
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The association and its members also want to work with state institutions in the long run on such long-standing problems as, for example, facilitation of street trade and terraces, qualification of employees, tax policy and others.
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Today was the first general meeting of the association, where the members got to know each other and shared their experience, how to overcome the emergency situation and how to deal with the restrictions imposed by Covid-19.
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The next meeting of members is scheduled for August 18 at 1 p.m., where it is planned, among other things, to discuss Lithuania’s experience in rescuing the industry.
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It has already been reported that on Tuesday, the government supported up to 1,000 people to gather indoors at the same time from August 17, instead of the current 500, as well as catering companies will be allowed to work until 2 o’clock, two hours longer than the current regulations allow. This condition would apply to places where the main service is catering and where people are sitting at tables.
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The Latvian Bar Association was founded in cooperation with industry professionals and bar owners. The aim of the association is to work together to create better conditions in the industry and solve problems.
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According to the information on the association’s website on the social network “Facebook”, among the founders of the association are also bar owners with several years of experience Grišulis and “Vest” and “Manana” co-owner Normunds Juraševskis.
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