- Relaxed licensing rules have been extended so pubs can
continue selling takeaway alcohol with ease
- The regulations for off-site consumption will now remain
relaxed until March 2025
- This follows the Prime Minister’s commitment last month to
back British pubs
Relaxed licensing regulations that allow pubs, restaurants and
bars to sell takeaway pints without red tape holding them back
have been extended today.
Al fresco drinking, first introduced widely during the pandemic,
has allowed the public to support their local pubs and business
by having the choice to take away their drinks, providing a boost
to local businesses and bringing in extra revenue.
Under the relaxed regulations, which were due to expire in
September and have now been extended in Parliament today, any
site permitted to sell alcohol on their premises can sell for
off-site consumption too, without the hassle of applying for a
new licence. Premises will also be able to continue to serve
alcohol in the area covered by any pavement licence that they
have.
The extension, which will run for a further 18 months, is part of
the government’s commitment to supporting the hospitality sector
in taking every opportunity to recover fully from the impact of
the pandemic as we grow the economy. It follows the Brexit Pubs
Guarantee announced in the Chancellor’s Spring Budget that
secured the pledge that pubs will always pay less alcohol duty on
drinks poured from draught, such as pints of beer and cider, than
supermarkets going forwards.
Policing Minister said:
“It is vital that we do everything we can to support British
pubs. They are a cornerstone of every community, and a beating
heart in our growing economy.
“The hospitality industry has faced a tough couple of years, and
by relaxing this red tape we will give our pubs and bars the
support they need to thrive.”
Before these provisions were introduced during the pandemic,
licensing regulations meant that pubs with an on-site license
would have to go through an additional process to amend their
licence if they wanted to serve alcohol for off-site consumption,
taking time, paperwork and costing them money. Under the relaxed
rules, any premises licence allows takeaway pints as standard.
This extension will alleviate uncertainty over the status of
off-sales for those premises affected and allow for long-term
business planning. The government’s ultimate goal is to create a
unified pavement licence that includes licensing consent for the
consumption and sale of alcohol in the outside pavement area.
During this 18-month period of the temporary extension to the
off-sales provision, the government will work to make this a
reality.
The government will continue to look at a permanent solution that
will best support local pubs and bars by continuing the close
work with industry and local authorities.
The extension has been made through amendments to the Licensing
Act 2003 and applies to both England and Wales.
