During a discussion yesterday, Božo Raković, a tenant of a Podgorica building, noted that the draft decision on working hours has created conflicts between caterers and tenants, even though this isn’t always the case.

The proposed decision states that catering establishments within buildings having up to 15 apartments can operate until 1 AM, while those in larger residential buildings will close by midnight.

“When a catering facility is located in a residential building, does it really matter if someone is living in a mixed-use building? Additionally, the performance of municipal police and inspectors in addressing related issues is unsatisfactory. At times, they fail to respond to hotlines and often do not conduct field visits,” he expressed.

The Capital City’s Secretariat for Entrepreneurship and Investments stated that discussions regarding the Draft will continue until July 21st.

“We have until then to incorporate your reasonable comments and suggestions into the Draft Decision. We have already received several inputs and are reviewing them. However, it’s essential to clarify that this decision pertains to working hours, while noise regulations fall under a different category,” they clarified.

Momo Sladaković, president of the non-governmental organization Podgorica Catering Association, expressed concerns about the process surrounding the Draft.

“You are here for our benefit, not the other way around. You need to support us. There will be accountability; even the Constitutional Court is an option,” Sladaković stated, emphasizing that the Secretariat should focus on aiding caterers rather than imposing penalties.

Legal expert Saša Šćekić, a member of the working group that drafted the document, noted that citizens seem to misunderstand the Draft, viewing it as finalized.

“This is merely a work in progress. Please show us respect, as we show you. Feel free to voice any concerns,” Šćekić urged restaurateurs, reminding them of their rights to share opinions that the working group should consider.

Restaurateur Petar Kaluđerović highlighted the significant issue of noise, stating that “the system for municipal fines is ineffective.”

“As a hotel owner, I have to relocate guests to ensure they can sleep. This is how I safeguard my ratings. As you all know, disturbances multiply after midnight. Our battle is with noise, not operational hours; a person cannot operate a disco into the late hours,” he lamented.

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