The Makarska City Council adopted a decision last week to restrict the sale of alcoholic beverages in retail outlets from 21:00 to 6:00, making Makarska the first Croatian town to implement such a measure, N1 reports.
The restriction applies only to shops and other retail outlets within the town, while alcohol can still be served without restriction in hospitality venues. The town authorities justify the decision citing noise, inappropriate behaviour, increased amounts of waste and the devastation of the historic core during the summer months, which they link to the availability of alcohol in the late night hours.
The legal basis is an amendment to the Trade Act, which enables local self-government units to regulate alcohol sales themselves to protect the public interest. "Our aim is not a ban for the sake of a ban, but to preserve order, peace and a pleasant atmosphere in our town," said Mayor Zoran Paunović on the official website of the Town.
A similar decision is expected in Split, Zadar and Hvar. In Split, a public consultation on the draft decision, which would cover all forms of sales, from supermarkets and kiosks to stalls and vending machines, with proposed fines of 2000 to 39,810 euros, is open until 27 July. Supetar and Trogir do not plan the measure because, according to their mayors, family tourism prevails there.
Small traders believe they will bear the brunt of the impact. Since most supermarkets and shopping centres already close by 21:00, the ban affects kiosks, newsagents and small shops that stay open late into the night the most.
"No one has contacted us about this, as if we do not exist. Newsagents live from this; in summer it is almost their only sales. If there is a ban, it must be a ban for everyone," Boris Listeš, secretary of the Association of Small Traders of Split-Dalmatia County, told N1, adding that anyone who wants to get drunk will simply buy drinks before 21:00.
