BARTON COUNTY -The Great Bend city council approved ordinances on Monday that change the hours of operation for sale of alcoholic liquor from 8 to 11 p.m. in Great Bend and will allow the Sunday sales of alcoholic liquor and cereal malt beverages in town.

Liquor storeowners requested the changes from 8 p.m. to compete with liquor stores outside of city limits that are open late and sell on Sunday.

Until 1982, liquor stores stayed open until 11 p.m. in Great Bend.

After a series of robberies that resulted in two deaths the liquor storeowners decided to close earlier.

The ordinance change will also allow WalMart, Dillons, and convenience stores to sell beverages with 3.2 percent alcohol content or less on Sundays.

The Sunday sales will not take effect until October.