Our Services
As a multi-faceted, solutions based company, BHARhouse Solutions provides a variety of services in the areas of:
Holding a liquor licence brings with it a great deal of responsibility, particularly in the area of public safety. Any real or perceived negligence exposes you to scrutiny from the authorities. While we recommend and implement pro-active policies to avoid being placed under the microscope, we also have the experience and wherewithal to minimize the fallout from any crises that may occur.
Compliance and Operations
If you are a licensed establishment it is crucial to understand and comply with the liquor laws. Losing a liquor licence is costly — both financially and in terms of reputation. We know what the inspectors and police look for and ensure you will pass any inspection. We look at operational issues as broad ranging as security and loss prevention — helping you run a safer and more profitable business. Our team also identifies and gives feedback on areas of excellence in your establishment.
Covert Inspections: Similar to the concept of a mystery shopper, we send
trained observers into your establishment to examine the same behaviors as
a liquor inspector or a police officer. We also make observations in regards
to security, staff and servers, cleanliness, compliance and risk management.
We then provide you with a ‘deficiencies and vulnerability report’, a venue
rating and a solutions-based action plan.
Compliance Audit: This entails an in-depth analysis of your business with respect to compliance and management of your liquor licence. We review all of your current practices, policies and training. Where there are shortfalls, we make recommendations to correct them. Where there are gaps, we provide strategies to fill those deficiencies.
Training: One way to prevent trouble is through staff training. Your staff can inadvertently cost you money. We develop and deliver training programs for both servers and security personnel. We help new employees become good and good employees sharpen their skills.
Investigations: This could be for liquor act compliance — or more serious, possible criminal matters. We have the experience to conduct complete and confidential investigations under your specific direction.
Safety and Security: We review existing safety plans and current security practices. We make recommendations based on our findings and assist you in implementing any necessary changes and upgrades.
Compliance Audit: This entails an in-depth analysis of your business with respect to compliance and management of your liquor licence. We review all of your current practices, policies and training. Where there are shortfalls, we make recommendations to correct them. Where there are gaps, we provide strategies to fill those deficiencies.
Training: One way to prevent trouble is through staff training. Your staff can inadvertently cost you money. We develop and deliver training programs for both servers and security personnel. We help new employees become good and good employees sharpen their skills.
Investigations: This could be for liquor act compliance — or more serious, possible criminal matters. We have the experience to conduct complete and confidential investigations under your specific direction.
Safety and Security: We review existing safety plans and current security practices. We make recommendations based on our findings and assist you in implementing any necessary changes and upgrades.
Crisis Management
In the bar, hotel and restaurant industry crises arise in a variety of forms and when public safety is seen to be at risk, the situation is dramatically intensified.
Police and the LCLB are particularly vigilant when it comes to infractions such as serving alcohol to minors, over-service, overcrowding and serving liquor beyond designated hours. The consequences for your business can also be dire.
When your business is facing a crisis, BHARhouse Solutions offers the following services:
> 24/7 Crisis Hotline
> Public Relations and Media Management
> Re-investigations
> Representation at Enforcement Hearings
24/7 Crisis Hotline:
The actions of you and your staff during an incident
involving liquor inspectors or police are paramount to the outcome. Often,
management or staff inadvertently damage their case when the authorities
are on site. This is a time when emotions may be heightened, resulting in
accusations, confusion and conflicting versions of the events at hand. Even
with crisis management policies in place, it is advisable to confer with an
outside expert in the heat of the moment.
Our 24/7 Crisis Hotline service means you call us as soon as the authorities appear and we provide strategic advice on what actions to take. This serves to offset the allegations and can make a significant difference come enforcement hearing time.
Public Relations and Media Management: The media shows a great deal of interest in licenced establishments whenever an offence occurs. This is the last thing you need, considering all the other issues you will have to deal with. Professional media management is crucial as any negative publicity surrounding your business can cause irreparable damage to your image and reputation.
Our experience in public relations and connections with the media means any ‘sensational’ stories can be properly managed. Bars and hotels are often presented in a negative light by the media. Not only will we craft your message, we communicate it to journalists with the industry view in mind.
Re-Investigations: Initial investigations leading to an enforcement notice are, by their very nature, one-sided. You may feel like you have been blindsided and have little recourse to the allegations being made.
With our vast experience in enforcement operations, BHARhouse Solutions has an intimate knowledge of how these investigations are undertaken and will conduct an impartial re-investigation of the incident in question. We analyze the event, conduct interviews, consider all the evidence and provide a comprehensive report. This can have a major impact on the final adjudication.
Enforcement Hearing Representation: If you are charged with an offence under the Liquor Act, you are required to attend a Liquor Control and Licencing Branch (LCLB) enforcement hearing.
Many licensees opt to sign a waiver - an outright admission of guilt. They accept the penalty, with no attempt to defend their position. There is no benefit to doing this, no reduction in the penalty and the outcome becomes part of their record with LCLB.
Most licensees who do attend the enforcement hearing represent themselves. They generally do more damage to their case, because they lack the knowledge and experience required to mount a successful defense.
When you are found guilty of the allegations, the outcome is either a cash fine, suspension of your liquor licence or both. This causes severe damage to your business.
One alternative is legal representation. While in some instances we would recommend seeking legal counsel, in the vast majority of cases it isn’t necessary.
BHARhouse Solutions has an ex–LCLB advocate on staff, who has prosecuted numerous cases for LCLB. The combined knowledge of our staff on liquor policy, licencing issues and enforcement hearing procedures will ensure a level playing field when it comes to vigorously defending your case.
Our 24/7 Crisis Hotline service means you call us as soon as the authorities appear and we provide strategic advice on what actions to take. This serves to offset the allegations and can make a significant difference come enforcement hearing time.
Public Relations and Media Management: The media shows a great deal of interest in licenced establishments whenever an offence occurs. This is the last thing you need, considering all the other issues you will have to deal with. Professional media management is crucial as any negative publicity surrounding your business can cause irreparable damage to your image and reputation.
Our experience in public relations and connections with the media means any ‘sensational’ stories can be properly managed. Bars and hotels are often presented in a negative light by the media. Not only will we craft your message, we communicate it to journalists with the industry view in mind.
Re-Investigations: Initial investigations leading to an enforcement notice are, by their very nature, one-sided. You may feel like you have been blindsided and have little recourse to the allegations being made.
With our vast experience in enforcement operations, BHARhouse Solutions has an intimate knowledge of how these investigations are undertaken and will conduct an impartial re-investigation of the incident in question. We analyze the event, conduct interviews, consider all the evidence and provide a comprehensive report. This can have a major impact on the final adjudication.
Enforcement Hearing Representation: If you are charged with an offence under the Liquor Act, you are required to attend a Liquor Control and Licencing Branch (LCLB) enforcement hearing.
Many licensees opt to sign a waiver - an outright admission of guilt. They accept the penalty, with no attempt to defend their position. There is no benefit to doing this, no reduction in the penalty and the outcome becomes part of their record with LCLB.
Most licensees who do attend the enforcement hearing represent themselves. They generally do more damage to their case, because they lack the knowledge and experience required to mount a successful defense.
When you are found guilty of the allegations, the outcome is either a cash fine, suspension of your liquor licence or both. This causes severe damage to your business.
One alternative is legal representation. While in some instances we would recommend seeking legal counsel, in the vast majority of cases it isn’t necessary.
BHARhouse Solutions has an ex–LCLB advocate on staff, who has prosecuted numerous cases for LCLB. The combined knowledge of our staff on liquor policy, licencing issues and enforcement hearing procedures will ensure a level playing field when it comes to vigorously defending your case.
Imagine the scenario:
It’s 1 a.m. and police and liquor inspectors
are in your establishment making numerous
allegations of non-compliance. You may
disagree with them and do your best to
prove you are abiding by the law, but it
seems the only alternative is to accept the
contravention notice and wait for your day
in court. You should call the BHARhouse
Solutions 24/7 Crisis Hotline immediately.
Did you know:
The Liquor Control and Licencing Branch
(LCLB) enforcement hearing is an
Administrative Law venue. The hearing setup
looks like this:
Location: LCLB office
Adjudicator (judge): LCLB employee
Advocate (prosecutor): LCLB employee
Liquor Inspector: LCLB employee
Is it surprising that LCLB wins almost 100%
of their hearings?
Liquor Licencing
Whether your business is a small, family run bistro or a multi-level nightclub, obtaining and maintaining the integrity of your liquor licence is vital to the successful operation of your establishment. For many bar, hotel and restaurant owners, the issue of licencing is a compulsory exploration of true government bureaucracy. BHARhouse Solutions eliminates the stress of you having to deal with this minefield.
Obtaining a Liquor Licence: The process of obtaining a liquor licence can
be arduous, time consuming and unnecessarily complex. It shouldn’t be.
In their effort to be equitable and precise government bureaucracies often
get bound up in red tape and your licence approval may be held up through
no fault of your own. Not only do such delays result in lost revenue for your
business, we also appreciate that you have better things to do with your time
than negotiate the administrative maze of liquor licencing.
BHARhouse Solutions has an intimate knowledge of the workings of the licencing bodies and we ensure your application is prepared accurately, in a timely manner and properly guided through the appropriate channels.
Changing a Liquor Licence: There are a number of areas where a change to your business warrants a change in your liquor licence. Increasing seating capacity, changing hours of sale, adding a patio or making other structural alterations, all require specific LCLB and municipal approval. Relocating your business, changing the name and selling or transferring shares are other examples where the LCLB must approve changes to your licence.
Since every situation is unique, BHARhouse Solutions works with you on all the details of your application. We make certain the relevant paperwork is submitted, contacts are maintained and inspections are undertaken in a timely and appropriate manner.
Special Occasion Licenses: Special occasion licenses are required for serving alcohol at events such as charitable fundraisers, outdoor concerts, community festivals and business or sporting functions. There are a number of variants to deal with and exemptions that can be applied for which can ultimately enhance your event and may even save you money. With our experience in special occasion licencing, BHARhouse Solutions will ensure a seamless and timely application which frees you up to plan and organize other aspects of your event.
BHARhouse Solutions has an intimate knowledge of the workings of the licencing bodies and we ensure your application is prepared accurately, in a timely manner and properly guided through the appropriate channels.
Changing a Liquor Licence: There are a number of areas where a change to your business warrants a change in your liquor licence. Increasing seating capacity, changing hours of sale, adding a patio or making other structural alterations, all require specific LCLB and municipal approval. Relocating your business, changing the name and selling or transferring shares are other examples where the LCLB must approve changes to your licence.
Since every situation is unique, BHARhouse Solutions works with you on all the details of your application. We make certain the relevant paperwork is submitted, contacts are maintained and inspections are undertaken in a timely and appropriate manner.
Special Occasion Licenses: Special occasion licenses are required for serving alcohol at events such as charitable fundraisers, outdoor concerts, community festivals and business or sporting functions. There are a number of variants to deal with and exemptions that can be applied for which can ultimately enhance your event and may even save you money. With our experience in special occasion licencing, BHARhouse Solutions will ensure a seamless and timely application which frees you up to plan and organize other aspects of your event.
