Pubs and clubs toast new change in legislation
20I08I09
Pubs and Clubs toast new change in
legislation
Pub and Bar owners across the UK are raising
their glasses to a recent change in legislation.
The new ‘Minor Variations’ application process
will reduce the amount of money and time it takes to make minor
alterations to premises licenses and will make it easier for pub
and bar owners to change the layout of their premises, serve hot
food after 11pm and host some live music events.
The new procedure came into force on 29 July
2009 and it is anticipated that it will save the industry as much
as £2.3m a year.
The procedure provides Premises Licence
holders and Club Premises Certificate holders with the option of
applying to make minor variations to their licence without going to
the expense and inconvenience of a full variation application.
Licensing Ministers claim that the new process
will simplify procedures for licensees who are exploring new ways
of bringing in more punters, especially those who are struggling in
the current economic climate.
Licence holders must take note that the new
procedure may not be used to apply for some changes. It cannot be
used, for example, to substantially vary the premises, extend the
licence period, authorise the supply of alcohol at any time between
11pm and 7am or increase the amount of time on any day during which
alcohol may be sold or supplied.
Community halls also have reason to raise a
glass. A new measure has come into force whereby management
committees of village halls, church halls, community halls and
similar community premises can now apply to be collectively
responsible for the supervision of alcohol sales instead of having
one designated person applying for a personal licence.
This new measure is expected to alleviate the
burden on individual volunteers and provide greater flexibility to
serve alcohol during community events.
Contact
Martin Jones
Partner
E martin.jones@hughjames.com
T 029 2039 1176