Within the next few days a legal notice will be published in the Government Gazette prohibiting, with immediate effect, the sale of bottled alcoholic beverages after 9pm from shops that have a licence from the Trade Licensing Unit (TLU), Parliamentary Secretary for Small Businesses and Employed Edwin Vassallo said yesterday.

Mr Vassallo explained that, as a result of the legal notice, only commercial outlets licensed as a catering establishment – such as restaurants or bars – will be allowed to sell bottled alcoholic beverages after 9pm.

However, commercial outlets such as confectionaries and mini-markets, that have a licence from the Trade Licensing Unit, will not be allowed to do so after 9pm.

Mr Vassallo explained that the updated licences will be issued by the TLU 10 days after the documentation is prepared.

He added that the legal notice was issued to regulate the consumption of alcohol by youths.