News: Christmas is coming

  • Date: 25/11/2010
  • Source: Poppleston Allen
  • Author/Solicitor: Nick Walton


The most important business season of the year is approaching and you will be well into your planning for the run up to Christmas and New Year.

This year is a little unusual (and probably very much appreciated) as Christmas Day falls on a Saturday. Consequently, the following Monday and Tuesday are also holidays in lieu of the bank holiday for Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

If your plans for Christmas and New Year include the issue of Temporary Event Notices to cover special events you have planned or to extend your hours, now is the time to start preparing.

What are the important dates this year?


Below is a table which identifies the last date for receipt of a Temporary Event Notice by the Licensing Authority to ensure that the Temporary Event Notice will be accepted.

Day Date Last Date For Receipt By LA
Day Date
Mon Dec-20 Fri Dec 3rd
Tue 21 Mon 06
Wed 22 Tue 07
Thur 23 Wed 08
Fri 24 Thur 09
Sat 25 Fri 10
Sun 26 Fri 10
Mon 27 Fri 10
Tue 28 Fri 10
Wed 29 Fri 10
Thur 30 Mon 13
Fri 31 Tue 14
Sat Jan-01 Wed 15
Sun 02 Wed 15
Mon 03 Wed 15
Because of the extended break over Christmas and the need to have at least 10 working days between issue of the notice and the event date, almost all of the days over Christmas will require you ensuring your notice is with the Licensing Authority by 10 December.

These are the last days for receipt - the earlier the better.
 

Don't forget that you will need to send two copies of the notice to the Licensing Authority and a further copy to the Police Licensing Officer. Christmas post will inevitably delay your notices so if you are in any doubt about them being received on time, it is probably worth hand delivering to both the Licensing Authority and the Police Licensing Officer.

Some Local Authorities insist upon the application being signed by the person making the application, rather than upon his behalf. It is therefore sensible to build in a few extra days to ensure that this can be done where the council requires it.

Employing temporary staff over the Christmas/New Year holiday gives you the opportunity of having break to enjoy some much needed time with your family. If those extra staff are going to be used behind the bar, it is important that they understand their responsibilities with respect to the supply of alcohol to the public. This is particularly true in respect of not selling to under 18 year olds. Remember two failures and you can lose your ability to sell alcohol.

For more information please contact Nick Walton