More than 75 permit rooms and 30 beer shops have shut shop in the city in the last financial year owing to poor sales and rising costs. The sobering statistic came to light when licence owners did not approach the excise department to renew their licence by March 31, the last date for renewal.

Sobering effect: Disgruntled alcohol sellers have been complaining that high liquor prices are driving customers away. Representation picu00a0