Government publishes long-awaited consultation on licensing reform

The government today published its long-awaited consultation paper on the new licensing regulations, which was expected to appear last month.

But the hospitality, entertainment, leisure and retail industries will have to wait another month to see the consultation paper on licence fees.

The published paper outlines how the new licensing regime will operate and includes proposed details for application forms and premises plans, along with procedures for hearings.

Topics covered include personal licences, premises licences, club premises certificates, and transitional arrangements.

Although the new licences will not come into force until November 2005, licensing authorities will start to process applications from February 2005, which marks the start of the transition period.

This figure includes an estimated fall in the number of hearings from 2.5 million to just 40,000.

The eight-week consultation closes on 10 November. To view a full copy of the consultation and draft regulations, click on the Licensing consultation paper link above.

by Angela Frewin