Government announces significant changes to licensing regulations to promote growth

The Government has today published its response to a series of significant recommendations from the licensing policy sprint Taskforce – made up of representatives from the hospitality industry, government and police – to remove barriers to growth and unnecessary red tape to drive investment from pubs, clubs and restaurants across the UK.  

Taking on a series of 10 recommendations, the reforms announced include seeking views on creating a National Licensing Policy Framework, which will modernise outdated licensing rules, and a one-time licensing condition ‘amnesty’ to modernise and streamline licences.

Other recommendations provided by the Taskforce include: 

• Increasing the maximum entitlement for Temporary Event Notices (TENs) for licensed premises
• Improving the potential for licensed premises to better use their outside spaces by removing regulatory barriers, improving licensing decisions, simplifying processes and achieving greater consistency
• Removing the hard-copy local newspaper advertising requirement

Nick Mackenzie, co-chair of the Licensing Taskforce and CEO at Greene King, said: “As an industry we welcome the proposals and see this as a positive and necessary step towards updating a planning and licensing system that, for too long, has limited hospitality’s ability to drive economic growth across the UK. I thank the industry and the Taskforce for the serious and meaningful recommendations that we have put forward to bring these proposals to fruition. 

“It’s encouraging to see how the Government has worked at pace to take forward the proposals, particularly in areas that matter the most, including the introduction of a new National Licensing Policy Framework.

“Whilst licencing reform won’t offset the significant layered cost of doing business that the industry bears, they form part of wider changes to back the sector, which will support in unlocking opportunities for pubs to further invest in growth across the country.” 

Kate Nicholls, Chair of UKHospitality, said: “We gladly receive the Government’s response to our recommendations from the licensing policy sprint. Cutting red tape is a welcome launchpad, backing the recovery of the hospitality sector. From a personal perspective, I’m pleased to see this outcome after having chaired various working groups and co-developed recommendations as part of the taskforce.
 
“The Licensing Act was something I was part of in its initial launch 20 years ago, and the introduction of the National Licensing Policy Framework alone is a vital gateway as part of the reform. This will rebalance and modernise existing licensing rules, whilst giving clear direction to local authorities. Similarly, the amnesty on one-time licensing conditions is set to refresh and streamline licenses to ensure they are proportionate.
 
“In addition to these, the wider series of measures is due to have a strong impact on how hospitality businesses can open and operate, create jobs and ultimately, grow the economy. We now need to work with the Government to keep the pace and momentum high on implementing these plans to deliver on the support the sector desperately needs.”

Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive Officer of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “We’ve been clear about what’s needed to help us drive the economy, so the fact that the Government are acting on our, and the sector’s, recommendations to cut licensing red tape and improve processes are good first steps.

“Pubs are key for vibrant high streets, so the Government’s next move must be delivering significant business rates reform, mitigating punishing employment costs, and cutting beer duty. If they work with us to deliver this, pubs can carry on as the heart and soul of communities, creating jobs, and powering the economy.”
 
Jon Collins, CEO at LIVE said: “LIVE was delighted to work with Government on developing these proposals and it is great to see so many positive, business friendly measures being championed.  This rebalancing of the licensing regime will retain necessary protections while opening up new opportunities for venues, events and festivals.  That will mean more joy, more vibrancy and, crucially, growth.