Applications open for 5 Saskatchewan private liquor stores

The province has opened applications for thefirst five of 50 private liquor stores in Saskatchewan.Two stores in Regina, the other three in Saskatoon.Successful applicants will be chosen througha request for proposal (RFP) process.

"This is a big first step as we transition to an expanded private retail liquor system," saidDonMcMorris,the minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority.

In November 2015, the government announced it was converting 40 liquor stores to private. An additional 11 new private stores are being created, for a total of 51. Conversion of the Melfort location will begin in 2019 when the lease expires.

• Saskatchewan to privatize 40 government-owned liquor stores

"We have had a lot of interest in these new opportunities since first making this announcement last fall," McMorris said.

"Once fully implemented, we will have a retail liquor system that provides consumers with more choice, more convenience and more competitive pricing."

Information for the process can be found at sasktenders.ca. The deadline to apply is August 8. The province will release the remainder of the permit applications in stages and announce them publicly.