PROBLEMS SOLVED

Where Complex Licensing Meets Creative Strategy

Not every business proposal that involves Government Licensing, is suitable for approval – We do our best to employ lateral thinking and alternative business strategies to help our clients realize their vision and goals. This includes providing additional arguments to LCRB in order to secure either exceptions to their policies, or to actually help drive policy change.

We have found that with the correct evidence based approach we have been able to secure approvals that were not considered suitable in the past. Although we can never guarantee such strategies will have a positive outcome, we are secure in our conviction that our concepts can help drive positive change for the industry; or help in securing alternative business plans that will deliver similar outcomes and licensing approvals in the interim.

A First for BC: Redefining What’s Possible in Rural Liquor Licensing

One of recent successes in driving policy change very much involved ‘charting new territory’:

For decades, the Eastern Arms of Shuswap Lake, it’s residents and visitors, have been served by the The Sea Store, Shuswap Lake, a barge based general store, moored off Haven Point North, on Cinnamousun Narrows – Unfortunately all it’s customers had to boat (or drive) for miles to find a store where they could buy some cold beer or other liquor.
Not any more – During 2025 we were very proud to introduce BC’s very first truly floating Rural Liquor Store (RLRS).
Customers are now be able to buy everything they always could from the store, plus Liquor
.
Huge congratulations (and thanks) to the current owners Mike & Tammy Helfrick who brought us their challenge looking for a solution – The former owners had previously been turned down for a Liquor License, bases upon the premise that a floating vessel was not a ‘permanent structure’. Having looked at the project from a different perspective, we were able to provide a proposal to LCRB that allowed an application to move forward.

As with any process like this, it took time, and a number or arguments that challenged existing policy; but eventually our lateral thinking, and different approach, secured approval for the application; and the Sea Store is now able to provide a full range of essentials to those enjoying being on the waters of the Shuswap.

It was a pleasure to work with Mike and Tammy on this project; and to once again prove that no problem is too large in many circumstances – It’s particularly good to find a solution that charts a new path towards a true ‘First’ in BC.

Affordable solutions are very often available to licensing challenges, so please reach out to us to discuss your vision and business plans. If there is an option to be found, we will do our best to find it for you.

Huge thanks to Graeme Anderson at Anderson Consulting & Interior Design for all the hard work to make this happen!! If you need any help getting a Liquor license, he is your man!! He took on a difficult challenge, looked at it from different angles, and produced the results no one else had been able to get.

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Evidence-Based Due Diligence for Licensed Businesses

Another major part of our services to the Licensed Sector is based upon the principle of ‘Due Diligence’. Those that have ever fallen foul of LCRB Enforcement Action will be aware that the only defence in a case where an enforcement action is brought against a Licensee, is generally one of proving that the Licensee was diligent in making sure their staff were acting in compliance with the relevant regulations:

We offer staff presentations that support the required Government Training Certification Programs – These presentations are designed to support staff in ‘doing it right’ while also making them aware of common pitfalls; how to ensure they are best placed to pass Government Testing strategies; and how to provide and secure good evidence of how they managed any significant incidents that may arise in bars, restaurants, clubs, large events, and retail stores.

These presentations are informal, can be large or small, and are designed to engage Managers and Staff at all levels across the relevant industries – We aim to have those attending ask questions, and take away a number of key points, that will keep themselves, their customers, and the licence of the business safe and successful. The feedback we have received on these presentations has been very positive, and those attending have often been seen to put the content of the presentations into practice.

Summaries of each presentation are provided to Licensees, again providing evidence of ‘Due Diligence’ on their part. We obviously do not offer legal advice, but past experience has demonstrated that evidence ‘due diligence’ can also provide a key asset should a licensed business ever be the subject of a legal action or suit.

We can also provide optional Licensee Folders or Binders, that contain key documents and information evidencing a culture of due diligence. We do so both as regards the administrative requirements of LCRB; and key points the will promote public safety, and assist drive ‘House Policy’ in each specific client’s place of business.

If you would like to learn more about our ‘Due Diligence’ program, please feel free to REACH OUT.