If you are starting a bar or bottle store in Zimbabwe, then one of the legal requirements in formalizing your business is to obtain a Liquor License.
This is different from the shop license I mentioned yesterday and is to be applied for separately. Here’s the process and what is required for the license;
- Four Identical Legible Floor and elevation plans of the business premises. These must be approved plans.
- Photocopies of the adverts you have posted in the government gazette and a daily paper
- An inspection letter from the City Health Services indicating that your requested site is fit for purpose.
- Payment for your submission.
- A letter from the Department of Town Planning with no objection to you operating a bottle store at your chosen premises.
- *Inspection report by the City Health Department or the Liquor Board Inspectorate on the status of the property
- A clearance from the police on the appropriate form.
Licenses are obtained from the Liquor board at the Makombe Building (along Leopold Takawira) as per the Liquor act. It’s also important to note that you have to be a Zimbabwean citizen to apply.
Hope that helps.
Common Questions about getting a liquor license
Q: If I have a shop license, so I still need a liquor license is I decide to add a bar?
A: Yes, you do. These are two completely different licenses, issued by different bodies and authorizing different things.
Q: Since the Liquor licensing board is in Harare, how do I get a license in a remote area?
A: The process to acquire a license is the same regardless of where you are situated. There was some talk a few years ago about the process being digitized so that the application process can be done online. I’m not aware of what became of this, I was unable to find any information. Based on a comment down below though, it seems that the Liquor Licensing Board (LLB) has people on the ground across all provinces and is able to assist you wherever you are.
P.S. This post was updated in June 2021 to reflect some of the generous insights provided via the comment section. Please note we are not Liquor licensing consultants or experts. This article is simply an attempt to help business people looking for information, which I have provided here based on the information I have at the time of this update.