Amended licensing regulations 'positive news' for hospitality businesses

Draft legislation published by the Government will extend automatic off-licence flexibility to the end of September 2022, and increase annual Temporary Event Notice allowance from 15 to 20 for 2022 and 2023.

“These amended regulations are positive news for businesses that have been hard hit over the course of the pandemic," says Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality.

"UKHospitality has pushed hard for these extensions so we are grateful that the Home Office has listened and acted. All and any support for the sector will be vital on the long road to recovery and these measures mean businesses can continue to be flexible with how they operate and utilise additional opportunities of generating valuable revenue.

"Temporary Event Notices are particularly helpful for venues that want to hold one-off events or celebrations, so boosting the number permitted over the next two years is very welcome and increases the number of money-making opportunities."

Nicholls adds that the trade body is also calling for licensing conditions on door supervisors to be relaxed to help alleviate the labour shortage being faced by the sector.

Earlier this year the UK Door Security Association (UKDSA) raised concerns​​ over the state of the industry and the current licensed resource security numbers available to businesses as they reopen.

“We’d urge the Government to go further and also reduce the strict licensing conditions on door supervisors given the sector is facing such an acute labour shortage," continues Nicholls.

"We’d also like to see new applications fast tracked and plans for new requirements from October suspended that risk leaving many vacancies unfilled.”