Michelle Hazlewood comments on the National Licensing Policy Framework for Hospitality and Leisure Sectors (NLPF) being released

Following on from the Red Tape Review, which concluded on 6^th November, we have within 20 days (and one day after the Chancellor's budget) the National Licensing Policy Framework for Hospitality and Leisure Sectors (NLPF).

The NLPF contains seven sections and is issued on behalf of the Westminster government by the Department for Business and Trade.

It relates to the operation of the Licensing Act 2003. On 5^th November, I spoke at the Propel Multi Club Conference and expressed a hope that central government would use the NLPF as an opportunity to reset the approach to hospitality and enable this sector to deliver positive outcomes to local economies and support the national growth strategy. So lets see if that hope has materialised... please find here the link to the NLPF:

National Licensing Policy Framework for the hospitality and leisure sectors (web version) - GOV.UK

I will now seek to quickly highlight the key points but please watch this space as we will undertake further deep dives into its content over the next week or so.

First, it is pleasing to see in the Forward an acknowledgement that if support is provided to sector then it will " helping to create places where people want to live, work, visit and invest. If we are to support them, we need to provide these sectors with the ability to invest and adapt so that they can provide the types of services that people today want, need and deserve". The Forward continues " we need a licensing system that is flexible and responsive – a tool for enabling innovation and investment, not just managing risk."

Within the Introduction, this mandate is re-endorsed with a confirmation that the Licensing system should enable:

• investment in existing / new venues,

• providing extended consumer choice,

• supporting regeneration,

• and by a better regulation reduce unnecessary bureaucracy on businesses so that they can adapt quickly.

The Introduction describes the NLPF as a strategic steer by Government to those involved in licensing - it describes them a "stakeholders" but we can only assume that this is directed to the licensing authorities and the police.

The third section relates to the Scope of the Framework and interestingly it confirms the framework will not apply to off trade premises or where the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises is the principal operation.

Thereafter at section 4 of the framework it starts to address the areas which should be considered in a different way and lists key headings as follows Supporting a changing hospitality and leisure landscape, Status and legal effect, Strategic direction for a modern Licensing system. This last section concludes with an invitation to licensing authorities to adopt going forward a strategic based approach that supports long-term successful businesses and communities alike.

In my talk at the Multi Club Conference I spoke of a lack of fairness in the current process and in essence asked if the appropriate level of respect was afforded to hospitality for the economic returns it generated whilst still acknowledging the potential adverse impact on amenity to residents. This section seems to acknowledge the requirement for a balanced and fair approach for all the parties.

The framework concludes with sections on Implementation, particularly focusing upon the benefit of partnership working being the starting point for conversations when issues arise, high streets and communities along with monitoring evaluation and review. This is a new start, hopefully a reset of the mindset and the beginning of a more balanced approach, which contains as one of its principal determination criteria an acknowledgment of the value to the economy of hospitality.