Noida restaurateurs rejoice UP government’s nod for microbreweries

NOIDA: Following UP government's nod for microbreweries in hotels, restaurants and pubs, Noida restaurant owners rejoice the move citing boost to business as well as Noida to be head up with Gurugram and Delhi.
Varun Khera, owner of popular restaurant Desi Vibes in sector 18, welcomed the move and told TOI that it was long overdue. "Of late Noida market regarding food and beverages (F&B) industry has really improved because of new liquor brands coming up and opening shops. The industry here has upgraded and looking up to new malls and high end restaurants opening shop here. So this directive of UP government is definitely going to give a big boost to the industry,” said Khera.
Rahul Singh, owner Beer Cafe Noida and president of National Restaurant Association (NRAI), said, "I would like to thank the UP government for implementing this progressive policy which is in line with the world and befitting to a large state of our great nation. This much awaited clearance brings the spotlight the state deserves and will go a long way to promote tourism and experiential drinking," Singh told TOI.
Interestingly according to Khera, who also runs a restaurant in Delhi, while in UP drinking age is 21, in neighbouring Delhi its 25. “So lot of Delhi crowd comes to Noida to have liquor and for parties and it will add to sales,” he said – a move corroborated with the increase in revenue from sale of alcohol by 44 % in Gautam Buddh Nagar this financial year that ended in March 2019. The unprecedented growth according to officials was seen maximum (of about 51 %) in foreign liquor.
The total revenue earned in Gautam Buddh Nagar was Rs 786.74 crore in 2018-19, up from Rs 545.83 crore in 2017-18. In 2016-17, the total revenue was Rs 497.45 crore that increased by about 9% in 2017-18.
While micro-breweries launched in Delhi is yet to take off, unlike their steady growth in Gurugram, district magistrate B N Singh told TOI that he is yet to receive the order, but will follow stated guidelines. “We will follow the directive as prescribed by the state government,” said Singh.