BY KEITH LACEY
It appears Ontario?s Alcohol and Gaming Commission has had a serious change of heart and that?s wonderful news for some 30 staffers at Sudbury?s Coulson Hotel.
As first reported in Northern Life Sunday, the commission suspended the liquor licence for The Coulson last Friday stating the new owner, Devshi Romalia, had not received approval to operate the hotel with his own licence.
Christine Scopazzi, financial administrator and Romalia, both said they believed the hotel could operate under the existing licence issued to John Scopazzi, who owned the hotel for 23 years until selling it to Romalia in November.
On Tuesday afternoon, Scopazzi said she got a call and was informed The Coulson would be getting a new licence under Romalia?s name, effective Dec. 26.
?This is the best news we could ever ask for?we?ve had wonderful support from the community and I don?t know exactly what happened, but we?re getting our licence back and we?ll be back in business Friday night,? said Scopazzi.
The amount of public support since the licence was suspended has been overwhelming and in her opinion played a significant role in the licence being returned, said Scopazzi.
?I hope this never happens again, because it?s been very tough telling 30 employees to go home the week before Christmas,? she said. ?I can?t thank those in the community who helped and supported us enough, but they know who they are. I guess there really is a Santa Claus.?
Last Friday an inspector with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario walked into the Coulson Hotel and told management he was shutting down the establishment.
Romalia had no choice but to comply and he told 30 staff he had no choice but to lay them off and ordered them to go home.
The week in between Christmas and New Year?s is one of the busiest for The Coulson and many other establishments.
Getting the licence returned means all the employees are going to have a good Christmas instead of a dismal one, she said.
The group Sugar Boom will perform this weekend.
