The city Licensing Board has voted to waive liquor license renewal fees for local restaurants, hotels and social clubs.
The vote comes in the wake of Gov. Charlie Baker’s announcement that rising COVID-19 case rates prompted him to roll back the state’s reopening plan. Peabody recorded 159 new COVID cases since Dec. 11, bringing the city’s case total to 3,177.
The rollback included restrictions and additional planning requirements for establishments offering bar seating.
“Many of these restaurants in particular are small, family-run businesses which have been hit extremely hard since the pandemic began. The statewide reopening rollback will make things even tougher for them heading into the winter months, so I believe waiving the fees is the right thing to do at the right time,” said Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt, Jr.
Some communities, including Lynnfield, have not waived or reduced fees, while others, including Salem and Lynn, have taken action.
Salem waived for liquor, common victualler, entertainment, and automatic amusement license fees several weeks ago. Lynn Mayor Thomas M. McGee proposed waivers for liquor license holders and the request was approved by the Liquor License Commission.
The Peabody Licensing Board’s action is the latest city effort to help small businesses. The Community Development Authority in May approved more than $350,000 in grants for 110 small local businesses.
In June, the City Council approved Bettencourt’s proposal allowing 18 local restaurants to expand seating capacity and increase business. The council renewed the expansion initiative in October.
“My administration will continue to lend support to the Peabody business community during these difficult and uncertain times,” Bettencourt said.
