BCRFA Update March 31, 2021

We hope that you are all having success as you moved to dedicated take-away and patio as our industry continues to move forward in this pandemic. Below we have pulled together some additional information to help you navigate through this. 

What is considered a patio?

At this time, Dr. Bonnie Henry's directive is that operators can keep patios open. DINING OUTSIDE is allowed. This means that your patio space must feel like your guests are outside.

You must:

- Keep washrooms open if you are going to provide patio service;

- Provide hand-sanitizer;

- Update your COVID-19 Safety Plan to set up your patio protocols;

- Maintain recirculation of fresh air.

You can consider:

- An awning or a tent cover;

- Approved outdoor heating units (please check with your municipality what is approved);

- String up patio lights or other lighting (please check with your municipality what is approved);

- A fence to mark the outside area of your patio;

- A solid wall against your building;

You should not:

- Create a glassed-in or screened-in space with 4 closed sides. Remember, she approved OUTDOOR dining not greenhouse dining. If you have 4 glass or vinyl walls, during business hours, we recommend keeping 2 walls open to ensure airflow.

Structural versus Temporary Patios:

There are two kinds of patios that businesses can have (or apply for): structural patios or temporary patios. Loosely speaking, structural patios may look like part of the building. They are fully constructed and require permitting and compliance with the BC Building Code.

Temporary patios were created to respond to COVID and they do not have permanent structures: they may be delimited by a fence or use a tent cover or awning. Generally, they require permission from your municipality and Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch but not a formal permit process.

Patio Approvals:

Patios require two levels of approval: municipal (building) and provincial (alcohol service) through the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch.

Municipal Approvals:

Contact your Municipal Permitting office if you are looking to apply for a temporary patio. Most municipalities have programs for public and private space programs. IF YOU ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY CONNECTING WITH YOUR MUNICIPALITY TO HELP FAST TRACK THIS PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE TO HELP.

Provincial Approvals:

APPROVED Patio Expansions: Currently approved expanded alcohol service area permissions have been extended without requiring a re-application until October 31, 2021.

NEW Patio Expansions: For existing operators who wish to apply for a new Temporary Expanded Service Area (TESA) they can continue to do so until October 31, 2021. LCRB has been reviewing and approving completed applications for TESAs in approximately 5 days. LEARN MORE HERE: TESA

STRUCTURAL CHANGE APPLICATIONS (Alcohol Service):
The permanent structural change process are available and work is currently being completed to streamline and identify efficiencies to improve this process.

REMINDER. RESTAURANTS: Effective midnight (March 29) all restaurants must close for INDOOR dining. Patios are allowed as well as is take-away. We are linking below some of our documents that we created previously to help with take-away, marketing, etc as refreshers to help ensure your business survival.

Changes are effective midnight March 29 through to April 19th.

Some BCRFA tips to maximize take-away and delivery and adjust as we head into Easter weekend.
1. Create family style dining menus for pick-up
2. Create a package that includes wine and cocktail packages
3. Create an Easter dinner package that is all prepped and guests will cook at home
4. Add chocolate Easter themed gifts/eggs to packages for families
5. Create picnic basket style dining for those families that will be gathering outdoors to meet in a park for Easter
6. Work with your local food delivery and increase your dining menu
7. Update your website with take-away ordering menus as people move from reservations to dining at home
8. Get your patios up and running and move reservations outside

You can view and download off of the BCRFA website here: RESOURCES.
Guides include:
COVID-19 Restaurant Marketing
The Next Pivot: Preparing to maximize take away this fall/winter
Frequently Asked Questions: Patio Extensions
Physical Distancing and Patios

Other changes made include:
- In-Person religious services suspended
- Outdoor gatherings to one small group within your immediate contact group to a maximum of 10 (think: 3-4 of close friends, 2 families, immediate household). This needs to be the same 10 people, and even if cold and snowy you must stay outside
- As much as possible work from home
- Travel not allowed outside of your local area (reminder)
- Fitness Facilities and Group Fitness outdoors or one-on-one indoors

The Provincial Government indicated that they will be ramping up vaccines in order to get as many people and the immunization program up and going. Their goal is to focus on managing outbreak as much as possible businesses affected by the outbreak.

2. LIQUOR MANUFACTURERS (tastings and sales): Manufacturers of BC Wine, Beer, Cider and Spirits are permitted to be open and provide tastings indoors. This must be for tastings only and be served for the purpose of tasting with intention for purchase. When possible it is encouraged to do this outdoors if you are able but the Provincial Government has advised that tastings are allowed.

LIQUOR MANUFACTURERS (by-the-glass sales): Manufactures that are selling products by the glass who do NOT currently have in-house food service may remain open provided the following is met:
1) you provide meal service, this can be done by working with a local restaurant to provide delivery or bring in a food truck. But food must be consumed for guests to be able to be seated on your patio
2) you must have a patio area and abide by the above noted patio rules, regulations and suggestions.

3. APRIL MARKETING FEATURE: Take out and patio offers As we quickly shift gears to welcoming guests outside and encourage our customers to gather with friends outside, we want to feature your take away offerings on our social media channels and showcase "safe" hospitality. To participate, please email: HERE- the description of your ready to order take out or patio dining specials (include your packaged wine or beer pairing offer)- a short statement about your outdoor dining safety protocols- a picture of you or your team wearing a mask on your patio OR
- a picture of a team member at a take out window, wearing a mask OR
- a picture of your take out feature
We also need:
- the social media handles for your business and the featured producer
- any hashtags you use
We look forward to featuring your business and giving people choices of great outdoor dining options!
Entries received will be posted in April @eatdrinkbuybc, @bctastesbetter and @chefstablebc.
4. CALLING FOR NEW MEMBERS! The BCRFA is a member based organization we thank our members for your support and invite those of you who are not members to LEARN MORE and join our association. SIGN ME UP.

Questions about your membership? Send us an email HERE

REMINDERS.
1. CURRENT PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS: 
Food and Liquor Serving Premises. View order: HERE
Gatherings and Events. View order: HERE

2. BC GOVERNMENT EXPANDS GRANT PROGRAM FOR BUSINESSES. From the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation. The B.C. government is investing $42 million to help businesses launch or upgrade an online store that will provide the platform they need to increase their sales revenues, become more competitive and grow.  These grants will provide business owners, including those in hard-hit sectors such as retail, tourism and restaurants, with up to $7,500 to build or improve their online store and promote BuyBC at a local, national and international level. Learn more and apply: E-COMMERCE GRANT

3. PST ON CARBONATED BEVERAGES:  Bill 4, Budget Measures Implementation Act, 2020 received Royal Assent on August 14, 2020 in the BC Legislature for the announced Budget 2020 changes, which included the tax change applicable to soda beverages.  As a result of B.C.’s COVID-19 Action Plan, in September 2020 the Ministry announced the delay of the elimination of the PST exemption for soda beverages to April 1, 2021.
 
Effective April 1, 2021, Provincial Sales Tax (PST) applies to all retail sales of soda beverages at the rate of 7%. The Ministry of Finance is mindful that implementing this change may be more difficult for some retailers than others and is aware that this rate change imposes the additional difficulty of impacting the point of sale calculation, e.g. when selling soda beverages with food or other goods. While anyone selling soda beverages will be under a legal obligation to levy, collect and remit PST at the 7% rate, the Ministry will generally not focus compliance activities on soda beverages for an initial period. Regardless, the Ministry recommends that best efforts be made to implement the rate change for April 1 and in accordance with all applicable legal obligations.

4. Sale, delivery of packaged liquor now permanent.  The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General announced today that including the sale of sealed alcohol with your take-out and delivery orders that was put in temporarily in spring 2020 and was set to expire has now been made permanent. Read the full release: HERE

5. WHOLESALE PRICING MADE PERMANENT: The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General announced today that the changes made in 2020 to allow restaurants, bars and tourism operators with liquor licences to purchase beer, wine and spirits at the wholesale price set by the BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) are now in place permanently. Over the last few months the BCRFA along with our industry colleagues have been expressing the need to make this permanent and today we are happy to share this news. You can read the full release issued today here: Permanent wholesale liquor pricing will help hospitality sector recover

6. SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED BUSINESS GRANTS: On January 26 the BCRFA along with the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation held an information session on applying for the grant. For those that may have missed it please find links here with content shared.
BUSINESS GRANT PRESENTATION
INFORMATION SHEET
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
COVID-19 SUPPORTS FOR NON-PROFITS

7. MANUAL: BEST HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR THE BC FOODSERVICE INDUSTRY. Successful management of our Human Resources - our team, our employees - is the core of every restaurant. BCRFA is here to help you succeed in all aspects of your business. Your employees cost you 30-35% of your monthly operating expenses. When replacing an employee who has quit or you have had to terminate can cost thousands of dollars, good Human Resources management is a vital part of a restaurant's ability to succeed. This manual is broken down into 19 sections, each tackling unique areas of managing people. BCRFA members can now access and download this in our members area. If you would like to receive a printed copy of the manual we can print and ship for $25. If you would like to order a hard copy or are not a current BCRFA member and would like this valuable resource please contact our membership team: MEMBERSHIP

8. Notice to Sellers of Soda Beverages: Effective April 1, 2021, soda beverages will no longer qualify for the exemption for food products for human consumption. PST will apply to all retail sales of soda beverages at a rate of 7%. To read the full notice please visit here: Notice to Sellers of Soda Beverages

9. Government Announces Wage and Rent Subsidy Amounts to Remain Unchanged Through to June. Today the Federal Government released the information on how wage and rent subsidy comparisons will be calculated from March 14- June 5. Calculations will be made by comparing 2021 sales to 2019 sales, there are alternate comparisons available as well. For a full explanation on the announcement and to review the calculations table visit: WAGE AND RENT SUBSIDY

10. Canada Small Business Financing Program makes it easier for small businesses to get loans from financial institutions by sharing the risk with lenders.  Up to a maximum of $1,000,000 for any one borrower, of which no more than $350,000 can be used for purchasing leasehold improvements or improving leased property and purchasing or improving new or used equipment. Financial institutions deliver the program and are solely responsible for approving the loan. For more information download their PDF pamphlet or click here to find a lender near you.

11. MODUURN: The BCRFA recently announced our partnership with Moduurn. BCRFA members receive preferred pricing, to learn more visit: MODUURN, and click HERE. Moduurn has also shared a 90 Day Success Story: HERE. E-Commerce Grant + Small and Medium Sized Business Grant consideration. The BCRFA is encouraging restaurants to apply for both grants and to speak with Moduurn in regards to using some of the funds to digitally advance your websites to better accommodate consumers increasing demands for convenient ordering. To learn more on the grants see points #4 and #5 below and to learn more how Moduurn can help your business visit: Moduurn

12. MEMBERSHIP DUES PAYMENTS. We have now implemented a monthly membership payment option to help you with your monthly budgeting. This new option allows you to spread your memberships into 12 monthly payments instead of paying on your anniversary date. If you have an outstanding invoice and would like to pay using our monthly payment program please contact accounting@bcrfa.com. We have frozen membership fees for the current period, membership invoices are distributed on a monthly basis, if you have received an invoice please pay promptly

13. WESTERN LIVING MAGAZINE 2021 FOODIES OF THE YEAR FINALISTS. Congratulations to all 40 finalists including our own Ian Tostenson and BCRFA Members Meaghan and Steve Clark (Tractor), Shane Munn (Martin’s Lane), we hope to see you all in the top 10 released next month. For a full list of finalists visit: FINALISTS FOODIES OF THE YEAR.

14. Greater Victoria Business Awards. This week the finalists were announced for the 2021 Greater Victoria Business Awards, we want to congratulate BCRFA CEO/President Ian Tostenson for being a finalist in the category of Business Person of the Year. A congratulations to BCRFA Members who also made finalists in the following categories: TUTTI Delivery, ​Business of the Year (11-39 Employees) and Moduurn, ​Business of the Year (1-10 Employees). Winners will be announced on May 15th, to see a list of all finalists in each category visit: Greater Victoria Business Awards.

15. LOWER MAINLAND EMPLOYMENT GRANTS: The Youth Employment Bootcamp Program at the Robert Lee YMCA in Vancouver is currently looking for employers to take part in their job training program.  They run employment programming and workshops for young people 15-30 years old that are looking for work in the lower mainland. They then set up work placements for twelve weeks following their training with the aim this leads into an ongoing position.  For you this gives you access to a ready to work talent pool (15-30 yrs), trained with certificates relevant to the job such as First Aid CPR-C, Food Safe, World Host, Serving it right. Some candidates are recent graduates of post-secondary school programs.  A $10-$15/hour wage subsidy is available for the first 12 weeks of full-time employment. This is a savings of $3,600 - $5,400 for employers. Learn more: HERE. If this is of interest please contact their program manager by email here: Nicolas Tellez-Espana

BCRFA IN THE NEWS.

Restaurants and our industry continue to be a popular topic with all media outlets. Here are a few articles that have been distributed this week where Ian Tostenson, CEO/President of the BCRFA has been asked to comment.

BCRFA COVID-19 UpdateAleah Chaytor