Liquor Licensing: New Licensing Act 2003

Publicans, hoteliers and licensees should be aware that the Licensing Act 2003 represents the first major review of licensing law for almost 40 years.

All existing liquor and entertainment licenses will disappear in favour of a single Premises Licence and individuals will be granted a Personal Licence where alcohol is to be sold or supplied and which be additional to the premises licence. Under the Act there will be a new Club Licence and the terms "occasional licences" and "permissions" will become history as they are replaced by a Temporary Event Notices.

Another major change is that instead of applying to the local magistrates court for liquor licences, the local authority will become the licensing authority for its area dealing with all applications for licences and so on. Each local authority is preparing its licensing policy which will have four main aims:

• Prevention of crime and disorder
• Protection of children from harm
• Protection of public safety
• Prevention of nuisance

It is anticipated there will be a nine month transitional period to allow existing licence holders to transfer to the new regime. It is also expected that the new licensing system will be fully implemented in mid 2005.

For more information, see at the following website:
www.culture.gov.uk/alcohol_and_entertainment/licensing_act_2003

Caroline Gibbs

6 May 2004