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.
Public enquiries 020 7211 6020
http://www.culture.gov.uk
2-4 Cockspur Street
London SW1Y 5DH
http://www.culture.gov.uk