New temporary alcohol licensing provisions
In an attempt to restart the British economy, a new act has come into force, called the Business & Planning Act 2020, that has temporarily modified the Licensing Act 2003 so that any premises holding a premises licence authorising on-sales of alcohol is deemed to also authorise off-sales.
- Under the Act automatic entitlement to off-sales are limited to 11pm and existing conditions relating to external areas will continue to apply.
- Organisations with club premises certificates are not covered by the provisions in the Act.
- A premises licence that only permits on-sales will be excluded if there has been a "disqualifying event" within the three years preceding on day 22 July 2020.
To understand what this means to you as a premises licence holder you should refer to the following Home office guidance:
Alcohol licensing: guidance on new temporary off-sales permissions - GOV.UK
If you intend to make use of the new temporary permission to undertake off-sales, under section 172F(2) or of any any of the temporary conditions under section 172F(5), a statement that this is the case must be prepared and displayed on the premises. To assist you a template statement is available here
The above guidance relates to the alcohol licensing provisions in the Business and Planning Act 2020 only. It is separate to guidance on working safely during Covid-19 issued by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.