Only 3 apply, interest low in low-alcohol bar permit
Noida: Two months after the UP government introduced a low-cost bar licence aimed at helping small restaurants and cafés serve beer and wine, the response in Noida and Ghaziabad remains lukewarm.
Officials have received just two applications in Noida and one in Ghaziabad for the FL-7(1) licence, as most businesses adopt a wait-and-watch approach.
The FL-7(1) category, introduced under the revised-UP excise policy, is priced at Rs 4 lakh, significantly lower than the Rs 10–15 lakh needed for a regular bar licence. The policy was designed to encourage smaller eateries to serve low-alcohol beverages alongside food without the financial burden of a full-fledged bar licence.
In April, the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI)'s Noida chapter met with excise commissioner Dr Adarsh Singh and had shown interest in the scheme. But enthusiasm has since given way to caution, with most restaurateurs holding off on applying until the first few licences are operational.
"There are two applications in the pipeline for the low-alcohol bar licence. We've had interest from several restaurants, but most are waiting to see how the first few do," said Subodh Kumar, district excise officer of Gautam Budh Nagar.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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"New policies take time to gain traction. Some businesses are still working on the necessary documentation."
Varun Khera, president of NRAI's Noida Chapter, echoed this sentiment. "It's not that there's no interest, it's that restaurant owners are being cautious. Everyone is waiting to see if the new model is profitable and sustainable before jumping in," he said.
Meanwhile, another new category—FL-4D—has seen slightly more movement. This licence permits the sale of low-alcohol premium products such as beer and wine inside malls housing multiplex cinemas, creating a niche retail opportunity. "In Noida, two such vends have already opened, one in R-Cube Monad Mall, Sector 43, and another at Durga Talkies Mall in Surajpur," a district excise official said. "There are two more applications in the pipeline, and we expect them to be issued in the coming weeks.
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The FL-4D licence costs Rs 6 lakh, compared to Rs 25 lakh for the regular premium retail licence (FL-4C), making it a more affordable entry point into the liquor business.
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