Relaxation of licensing hours for the Royal Wedding
2018
England and Wales only.
The Home Office’s consultation to extend licensing hours for the Royal Wedding has now closed and the response and impact assessment can be found here.
In short, the Government has decided to proceed with a licensing Order allowing licensed premises in England and Wales to open for an extra two hours for the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises, as follows:
- Friday 18 May 2018 – from 23.00 to 01.00 the following morning; and
- Saturday 19 May 2018 – from 23.00 to 01.00 the following morning.
The response states that the Order will only apply to premises licensed for the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises (including the provision of late night refreshment) where those premises are already licensed to provide this. It will not cover late night refreshment licences where the premises does not hold a licence to sell alcohol. The response is not explicitly clear as to whether it will extend to regulated entertainment as well, although the equivalent 2011 Order for William and Kate’s wedding did include an extension for entertainment.
Any premises that do not benefit from the Order that want later hours, or wish to trade later than 01.00, can submit a Temporary Event Notice.
Should you have any queries about this matter, or need assistance in submitting a Temporary Event Notice, please telephone us and speak to one of our solicitors.