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Consultation to reduce red tape for licensees

DEPARTMENT FOR CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT News Release (146\2007) issued by The Government News Network on 28 November 2007

Managers of licensed premises may get a reprieve from having to apply and pay for an amended licence if they are only making a slight change to the way their business is run as long as there is no impact on the licensing objectives, if the public supports proposals set out in a new consultation launched today.

Currently any small change to the way a licensed premise is run, such as small scale refurbishment, choosing to serve food in a pub or hosting an acoustic night for local musicians, can only be achieved through the full 'variation' process - at an average cost of £385 per variation.

The consultation, "Legislative Reform Order: Proposal to Introduce a Simplified Process for Minor Variations to Premises Licences and Club Premises Certificates" offers up three options:

* Give local councils the discretion to decide if a change is insignificant enough to qualify as 'minor' (Government's preferred option).
* Prescribe what is a minor variation on the face of the Act, taking away councils' discretion.
* Do nothing.

Around 30 per cent of applications to vary licences are for small changes. The total cost to applicants, including theatres, cinemas, live music venues, bars, village halls and members' clubs, is estimated at being between £2.3 - and £4.3 million per year.

Depending on which option wins following the three month consultation, business could save somewhere in the region of £1.5 - £2.8 million per year.

Licensing Minister Gerry Sutcliffe said:

"After two years it has become evident that it is not necessary for a premise to go through the full variation process if they are only making a small change, such as minor refurbishment.

"Local councils who are familiar with local licensed premises should have the discretion to decide when a variation is so insignificant that it's not necessary to go through the full variation process.

"If the public agrees, this deregulatory change could save business up to £2.8 million a year."

Notes to editors

1. The consultation document can be found at http://www.culture.gov.uk/Reference_library/Consultations/2007_current_consultations/cons_minorvvariations_plcpc. It closes on 20 February.

2. The Licensing Act 2003 received Royal Assent on 10 July 2003. Its reforms came into effect in full on 24 November 2005. The four statutory objectives of the act are:
* the prevention of crime and disorder;
* public safety;
* the prevention of public nuisance; and
* the protection of children from harm.

3. More information about the Licensing Act 2003 can be found in the alcohol and entertainment pages of the DCMS website.

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