Speaking during a briefing where they were alerting the business players to renew their business premise licenses, the director of commerce, industry and trade for the council, Dennis Chinseu, said it is anticipated that 7500 businesses will be licensed in the 2019/2020 financial year from 6984 businesses in the current financial year.

"The new financial year is beginning on 1st July so there is a need for people to renew their business premise licenses," said Chinseu.

The council has said before issuing the business premise licenses they look into various issues such as sanitation and the legality of the businesses.

Meanwhile the council is urging all business to renew their business premise licenses to avoid closure.