The Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa warned on Friday that job losses could be on the cards if establishments in Cape Town’s business districts were forced to stop selling alcohol by 2am.

The Western Cape’s liquor amendment bill was published for public comment on Friday.

One of the amendments stipulated that it fell within the City of Cape Town’s competency to determine trading hours.

The City’s liquor by-law aimed to stop the sale of alcohol in CBD bars and restaurants by 2am.

FEDHASA’s Philip Couvaris told Eyewitness News that could have disastrous effects.

“It would be responsible I think to do a proper impact study to understand what the impact would be to our employees and to the employers of people in this industry. We would urge that nothing serious is enacted prior to the World Cup soccer.”

However, chairperson of the City’s liquor by-law task team, Taki Amira said they’re sticking to their guns.

“The research has indicated that the unbridled selling of liquor is hampering health. You go look at foetal alcohol syndrome, you go see what goes with alcohol abuse, domestic violence, and that’s our way of trying to improve the lot of the majority of the citizens of Cape Town.”