HONGKONG'S restaurateurs have banded together to lobby for changes to the territory's licensing laws.
More than 20 proprietors have become members of the Restaurant and Licensed Premises Association (RALPA) to lobby against what one member terms ''a horribly bureaucratic licensing system''.
Under the present regulations the Liquor Licensing Board issues a licence when the business gets a restaurant licence.
Approval from the Fire Services Department and the Building Authority must be obtained before the Urban Services Department will issue the restaurant licence.
Although the Government says it is possible to obtain a liquor licence within six weeks, RALPA members say the process usually takes eight to 12 months.
''Every time the inspectors ask for an alteration, the plans have to be re-submitted, and it takes time to have another one arranged,'' a RALPA member said.