Home Office guidance requires Licensing Authorities to consider economic benefits when making licensing decisions

Licensing Authorities are required to have regard to guidance issued by the Home Office when considering licensing matters. This guidance, known as Section 182 Guidance, has been updated this month and appears to build on industry concerns about the need to have regard to the local economy when making decisions.

Under the new guidance, (paragraph 1.18) when making decisions, all licensing authorities should consider the need to promote growth and deliver economic benefits. Whist this does not put such considerations on the same footing as the current four licensing objectives, it will come as a welcome boost to operators who are looking to open new premises or modify an existing one.

The updated guidance also encourages authorities to recognise the significance of spiking and encourages conditions to be added to licences where appropriate and proportionate.

The updated guidance can be found here.

For further information, please feel free to contact licensing solicitor, Joe Harvey on 0115 953 8500.