75th Anniversary of Victory over Japan (VJ) Day – Government announce Plan to Extend Licensing Hours in England and Wales
2020
We have previously reported on the Governments plans to mark the 75th Anniversary of VE day.
However this year also marks the 75th anniversary of Victory in Japan (VJ) Day.
Section 172 of the Licensing Act 2003 allows the Secretary of State for the Home Department to make a Licensing Hours Order (‘Order’) relaxing opening hours for licensed premises (any premises with a premises licence or a club premises certificate) in England and Wales to mark an occasion of ‘exceptional international, national or local significance’.
The Government have announced proposals to extend the hours of Trade for clubs, pubs and bars who are currently licenced until 11:00pm or later, on Saturdays.
The proposal to mark VJ Day suggests an extension for those qualifying premises until 1:00am on Sunday 16th August 2020, following on from trading on Saturday 15th August 2020.
Before anything is finalised there will be a short consultation “with selected partners including representatives of licensing authorities, the police, residents’ groups, veterans’ groups, the licensed trade and the Welsh Government. The consultation will focus on the scope of the Order including the dates, times, geographical extent and licensable activities to which it should apply”.
We will update you with further Government announcements, in particular on the detail of the final legislation, including whether it will also extend regulated entertainment until 1:00am for qualifying premises.
Until then, should you require licence or TEN (Temporary Event Notice ) advice for your party or event, please call our specialist Teams on 0114 266 8664.