The proposals apply to any trader within 100 metres of an Olympic or Paralympic site for a limited time when a competition is taking place.
Pubs within this vicinity will have to apply to the Olympic Delivery Authority to be considered for a free secondary licence. They will already need to have a pavement or al-fresco licence.
Olympics minister Hugh Robertson said: “The measures we propose are in line with those used at all Olympic Games since Sydney 2000 and will apply to a small area around venues and only around the time events are taking place.
“They aim to strike the right balance between preventing unauthorised advertising and trading that damage sponsors’ rights.”
Exemptions are being proposed for “trading on land adjacent to shops, cafés and related premises” but the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) has called for pubs and bars with an existing licence to be added.
“Pubs and bars play a key role in providing people with a place to celebrate the Games, so we hope applications by well-run pubs with appropriate crowd control are seen positively,” the ALMR’s strategic affairs director Kate Nicholls said.
• Comment on the plans at www.culture.gov.uk/streettrading-and-advertising-consultation . The consultation closes on 13 May.
Gurjit Degun is reporter at BigHospitality's sister publication, The Morning Advertiser .
