Fewer Than Expected Apply for Alcohol Permits After Sweden Drops Food Rule

Since Sweden removed the requirement for food service to obtain an alcohol permit on June 1, several new types of businesses have applied for licenses. In Stockholm, a gallery, padel clubs, and bakeries have sought permits, while a flower shop in Gothenburg and a clothing store in Visby are among the applicants elsewhere. Major cities have seen more applications than last year, but tourist-heavy municipalities like Visby, Åre, and Simrishamn have not yet experienced a significant surge.

Government analysts had predicted that "entertainment restaurants," such as sports bars focusing more on drinks than food, would increase by about 85 permits annually. However, Lotta Persson, head of alcohol licensing in Stockholm, noted, "We had expected a larger increase." She speculated that the swift process of removing the food requirement might have left some entrepreneurs behind.

In Malmö, Lisa Olsson, section chief for the licensing unit, confirmed an increase, stating, "We certainly have an increase. We have about ten applications that clearly would not have gone through if the rules hadn't changed." She mentioned a course provider and interior design shops among the new applicants, but still fewer than anticipated. "We had prepared for a stronger increase. Restaurateurs perhaps don't quite believe the rules have changed yet. We think there will be more after the summer," Olsson added.

Olsson also pointed out that meeting the remaining requirements and permit costs means not just anyone can obtain a license. Stockholm had hoped for even more creative applications from businesses that were previously unthinkable. "We had probably brainstormed for greater creativity, for businesses to really push the boundaries," said Persson. In Gothenburg, Emil Holmsten, head of the licensing unit, reported not a huge increase in permanent permits, but a flower shop and an all-night store can now serve alcohol. The long-term effects of the regulatory change remain to be seen. Persson explained that while municipalities don't set alcohol policy, they can signal potential impacts. "Alcohol service will likely be more noticeable in the streetscape now," she predicted.