A beer or a glass of wine at Max?
That’s what the burger giant wants to become a reality at Medborgarplatsen in Stockholm, writes Mitt i.
But the municipality’s district administration gives the thumbs down.
Hamburger chain Max has had its restaurant at Medborgarplatsen on Södermalm in Stockholm since spring 2019. It has since become a well-visited stop, among other things for people on their way home from the pub.
Now they want to implement a big change – and start serving alcohol.
Therefore, the district council says no
The burger giant has applied for a serving permit from 2pm to 3am Sundays to Tuesdays, writes Mitt i. The plan is to be able to serve alcohol both indoors and in the outdoor dining area.
The application is now being processed by the permit unit at the City of Stockholm, which has sent referrals to various bodies. One of them is Södermalm’s district council, which advises against granting serving permits. In its statement, which Expressen has seen, it is stated that Max gathers large groups of young people at Medborgarplatsen and that “entails great risks that minors are accidentally served alcohol or that visitors to the service offer/provide alcohol to this group”.
The police: “Not a good idea”
Even the police are inclined to give the thumbs down.
– Instinctively, we don’t think it’s a good idea. In connection with Medis (Medborgarplatsen) and Björn’s garden, we have a concentration of violent and drug crimes. I think we will favor a refusal. If they get permission, then we will want them to have security guards like other places that serve alcohol, says municipal police officer Anders Lindberg to Mitt i.
In the past, Max has had his application for a serving permit rejected at his restaurant Krysset in Skellefteå, but at Arlanda, the burger chain is allowed to sell alcohol.
In the middle, Max has applied, who does not want to comment but refers to the fact that “the application process is in its infancy”.
Finally, it is the social welfare board that decides whether permission should be granted or not.
Alcohol permit
■ Anyone who wants to serve alcohol must apply for a serving permit from the City of Stockholm, which carries out “an extensive investigation” before a permit is granted or denied.
■ It is the permit unit at the social administration that looks at the applications. The unit also retrieves information from, among other things, the Swedish Tax Agency, the police, the Crown Enforcement Agency, the environmental administration and the district administration where the relevant restaurant is located.
■ A decision basis is presented to the social welfare board’s permit committee, which makes the final decision.
