Hospitality businesses in England and Wales could get extended opening hours as part of changes to licensing regulations.
It could also be easier for pubs and bars to serve food outside and host live music.
The plans are among those included in a review of what the government describes as “outdated licensing rules that have been holding back pubs, bars and local events”.
The call for evidence, which closes on 6 November, focuses on the recommendations from the government’s Licensing Taskforce, with particular emphasis on streamlining on-trade alcohol licensing for hospitality venues.
The recommendations are:
- the introduction of a National Licensing Policy Framework
- a one-time licensing condition ‘amnesty’ to modernise and streamline licences
- improve the proportionality and evidential basis of licensing hearings and appeals
- remove the hard-copy local newspaper advertising requirement for licences
- improve licensing process and conditions for outdoor areas
- increase entitlement maximum for temporary event notices
- a sunset clause on blanket hours
- clearer evidential standards and structured mechanisms for objections and reviews
- review the licence length and fees for festivals and events
- strength the ‘agent of change’ principle
Prime minister Keir Starmer said:
“Pubs and bars are the beating heart of our communities. We’re backing them to thrive.
“This review is about cutting red tape, boosting footfall, and making it easier for venues to put on the kind of events that bring people together. When our locals do well, our economy does too.
“The shake-up could mean more street food, more live music, and fewer hoops to jump through for venues trying to bring people together – all while keeping the public safe.”
Business and trade secretary Peter Kyle said:
“This review will help us cut through the red tape that has held back our brilliant hospitality sector, giving them the freedom to flourish while keeping communities safe. That is the balance we’re trying to strike.
“We’re determined to back small businesses and bring the buzz back to our high streets.”
Nick Mackenzie, co-chair of the Licensing Taskforce and CEO at Greene King, said:
“Modernising the licensing system is a vital step towards reducing the red-tape that has stifled businesses for too long. Swift consultation on the Licensing Taskforce’s recommendations is key and we urge the government and industry to work together to ensure changes made at pace to address the challenges of running a modern hospitality business.
“Pubs are faced with continued rising costs, placing them under enormous pressures which is why the Government must continue to back the sector, including critical reforms on business rates which would unlock opportunities for pubs to invest and help drive economic growth.”