Rising Tide Consultants is pleased to announce that we offer design services to support our valued clients! By providing professionally drafted floor plans in AutoCad or Sketchup, you no longer need to engage an outside designer or pay your architect to do your floor plan drawings. This allows you to save time and money by streamlining the design process in presenting your drawings for your architect’s approval and facilitating a smooth submission to the city.

Rising Tide’s very own Meagan Morris completed the Residential Interiors program (DDA) at the University of Alberta and has extensive experience designing for residential and commercial projects across North America.

We are currently working on multiple projects for premiere Downtown Vancouver hotel locations. Get in touch to see how we can assist with your design needs.

We all love to cheer on our Canucks during the playoffs, but we are urging our clients to remember to create a safe and compliant environment for their patrons this season.

Responsible alcohol service is essential in keeping our city safe for these upcoming celebrations, so please be vigilant in enforcing your liquor service policies and ensure that proper ID practices are always adhered to.

Remember if you are caught serving alcohol to a minor you will be fined $7,000 on the spot! Over-service is a key factor in situations escalating to a point no one wants to see, so watch your guest’s consumption closely.

Alcohol products purchased to-go must be accompanied by a meal, and by this we mean not just a bag of chips. Want to know what constitutes a “meal” in this instance? Give us a call

Both the VPD and inspectors from the LCRB will be out in full force during the games so be sure to have the following items up to date and ready to show if they pay you a visit:

• Serving it Right certificates for all serving staff
• Your liquor & business license posted correctly
• Current floor plan
• Liquor register
• Alcohol Sense Materials
• Policy & Procedures Manuals that outline responsible liquor service

Missing some items? Have questions about getting this all organized in time? We are here to help!

Let’s all work cooperatively with our enforcement teams that are working hard to protect the citizens of Vancouver and prioritize mindful service and safety practices so that we can have a fun, successful Stanley Cup playoff season!

Bert Hick, Founder and President of Rising Tide Consultants was inducted into the BCRFA Hall of Fame 2023 on Monday, October 23rd. Bert was given the inductee designation of Friend of the Industry. This special recognition award is presented from time to time to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the hospitality industry in British Columbia

“I am honoured to have the recognition of being inducted into the BCRFA Hall of Fame 2023 as a “Friend of Industry.” Thank you to the BCRFA for this incredible evening celebrating true industry leaders and I send my sincere congratulations to all of the inductees!” 

About the BCRFA Hall of Fame

An initiative of the British Columbia Restaurant and Foodservices Association, the BC Restaurant Hall of Fame is a celebration of the people and the restaurants that make our industry world class. Since 2004, the innovation and dedication of outstanding individuals has been celebrated through their admission into the only Restaurant Hall of Fame in Canada.

For more information, please visit:

https://www.bcrfa.com/hall-of-fame-1

Rising Tide Consultants is proud to be a member of the Hospitality Sector Working Group and is happy to share this News Release from the City of Vancouver documenting the progress to date. We will continue to act on behalf of our clients to ensure real change is occurring in the best interest of the industry.

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City of Vancouver

News Release

October 3, 2023

Hospitality Sector Working Group quick wins and strategic priorities propel industry forward

Less than three months since the City established the Hospitality Sector Working Group, it has become a catalyst for innovation and collaboration, spearheading important changes by breaking down barriers and streamlining processes. 

“The hospitality sector is a cornerstone of our city’s economy,” says Mayor Ken Sim. “I am proud of our proactive approach to listening and responding to the sector’s needs. We’re here to listen, learn, and work hand in hand with the industry. Together with industry leaders, we are removing barriers and creating a more supportive and prosperous environment for local businesses while enhancing the experience for residents and visitors.”

The City has made significant strides in implementing recommendations from the working group, such as simplifying processes so businesses can focus on innovation and growth. These include:

1. Streamlined liquor licensing: businesses can now submit development permits and liquor licensing applications together as concurrent applications. 
2. Simplified business licencing process for restaurants: applications for a new restaurant business licence can now be submitted at the same time as a development permit and liquor licensing applications.
3. Enhanced occupancy load process: floor plans can now be submitted with seating calculations to determine occupancy load, allowing fire occupancy load permits and development permits to be approved simultaneously.

“Having a direct link between industry, Council, and City staff allows us to quickly implement smart, innovative solutions to support Vancouver’s hospitality industry,” said Jeff Guignard, Executive Director of BC’s Alliance of Beverage Licensees—an association representing BC’s pubs, bars, nightclubs, and private liquor stores. “Our focus in the coming months will be to find practical and meaningful solutions to reduce red tape, cut costly delays, and give industry the tools it needs to prosper.”

In consultation with the working group, the City will be actively exploring creative solutions to enhance Vancouver’s hospitality scene, including restaurants, bars and pubs, breweries and distilleries, and tourism-related services. 

“Vancouver’s hospitality sector is an integral part of both the economic and cultural fabric of our city, and the establishment of the hospitality working group indicates a much needed focus and prioritization of the industry,” said Hospitality Vancouver Association (HVA) spokesperson Laura Ballance. “The membership of HVA is looking forward to working in a collaborative nature with City officials and staff on issues facing the sector.” 

Among the priorities identified for future work, the working group will help inform the City’s ongoing efforts, including:

1. Identifying opportunities to streamline and resolve provincial and municipal liquor licensing timelines.
2. Exploring options to reduce or remove distancing requirements for liquor establishments to increase opportunities for new and existing businesses.
3. Reviewing the City’s year-round patio program to support a vibrant restaurant scene in Vancouver.
4. Evaluating options to simplify regulations related to tasting lounges at breweries and distilleries so that businesses have clarity and can better promote their brand.

“We’ve had some remarkable quick wins, but there’s still lots of work to do,” says Andrea Law, General Manager of Development and Business Licensing. “Together with the working group, the City is committed to finding practical solutions to challenges faced by businesses in the hospitality sector. Our approach to collaboration is grounded in deep respect for the many local entrepreneurs and businesses that form Vancouver’s diverse hospitality scene.”  

The City will provide updates on the working group through a designated Hospitality Sector Working Group web page, which also hosts valuable resources for business owners.