News: Relaxation of Licensing Hours for the Royal Wedding
- Date: 12/01/2011
- Source: Poppleston Allen
- Author/Solicitor: Nick Walton
The Government has launched a consultation proposing to relax licensing hours during the period of celebrations following the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton on 29 April 2011.
In short the consultation is requesting views on the potential to relax the hours of all licensed premises in England and Wales either on Friday, 29 April and or Saturday, 30 April 2011 to 1am. This for not only the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises but also for the provision of some regulated entertainment.
I say, some regulated entertainment because although the proposal identifies boxing and wrestling as being entertainment which could be carried on during the relaxed hours whether deliberately or otherwise, dancing or the provision of dancing has been omitted.
Late night refreshment outlets are not going to benefit as the Government believes that by definition they are already licensed to open late at night and would not benefit from a relaxation of licensing hours.
There appears to be some confusion at the present time with respect to whether the relaxation of licensing hours will include the provision of both the sale of alcohol and regulated entertainment up to 1am with a further period of time for the consumption of alcohol purchased up to 1am. If you are unfortunate enough to purchase alcohol at 1am there appears to be no provision for its consumption.
Further information can be obtained and a questionnaire completed by accessing the website below however, it appears that your answers will be restricted to either 'yes or no' and no comment is required by the consultees to this particular proposal.
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/consultations/royal-wedding-licensing-hours/
For more information please contact Nick Walton .
