Licensees around the country have cause for celebration a little early as today, the government announced it will relax Licensing Laws for the semi-finals and final of the Euros for licensed premises to avoid repeating problems which surrounded Women’s World Cup 2023 final.
The laws in question, the Licensing Act 2003, will be relaxed for matches involving England and Scotland for the semi-finals and finals of UEFA Euro 2024 which will be good news to thousands of publicans, hospitality managers and licensors around the country. Not forgetting the millions of fans who will benefit too.
Andy Grimsey, senior associate solicitor at Poppleston Allen, said: This relaxation means that if the England and/or Scotland football team is successful in reaching the semi-final or final of Euro 2024, then on-licensed premises already licensed to sell alcohol until at least 11pm would benefit from an extension to those hours until 1am. This would be an automatic extension contingent only upon either England or Scotland (and no other team) reaching either the semis or the final.
“If the teams were knocked out at the semis, then the extension would not apply to the final. The extension also does not apply to off-licences or off-sales from on-licensed premises, nor to regulated entertainment (DJs and live music, for example). Late-night refreshment would only be extended in premises also licensed for on-sales of alcohol.
“In summary, a typical pub or bar already licensed until at least 11pm will be able to sell alcohol (and provide hot food if already licensed to do so) until 1am for the semis in which England or Scotland are participating, and the final if either win the semi. The semi-finals are 9 and 10 July and the final is on 14 July 2024. The relaxation only applies in England and Wales.”
The decision comes after the government consulted on later trading hours for pubs and bars for the UEFA Euro 2024 football tournament, taking place in Germany across June and July. Draft legislation has now been laid before Parliament in time for the law to have effect for the Euros.
James Anderson, partner at Poppleston Allen, said: “The Licensing Act allows extension of hours on occasions which are of ‘exceptional national or international significance’ and will be activated should England or Scotland make any of these games.”
He continues: “This legal relaxation was last used for the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, which saw many premises being allowed to extend their trading hours for two hours between 11pm and 1am without the need for a Temporary Events Notice to give them the licensing permissions required.”
This is great news for the trade as Euro football tournaments can give licensed premises a significant boost. And this will avoid the highly publicised problems which surrounded last year’s Women’s World Cup where the Lionesses took on La Roja. Kicking off at 8pm in Stadium Australia in Sydney, this was beamed live across the UK from 10am, but many premises did not have the permissions to open or sell alcohol at that time which significantly impacted their takings during a difficult time for licensed venues.
Staying open even longer
If premises really want to celebrate if we get to the final, or dare we say, win it – a Temporary Events Notice (TEN) could authorise them for any additional hours or activities that their existing licence or the Government’s relaxation don’t provide. This notice makes temporary provision for one off events in certain situations, such as where the existing premises licence doesn’t have the required hours or activities.
Grimsey added, ”Premises with hours that match or exceed 1am will be unaffected and can trade their usual hours. There is nothing to stop any premises from submitting a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) to trade whatever hours they wish, subject to the normal rules that apply to TENs, which is an affordable and simple way to extend trading time and potentially turnover. Be aware, however, that the notice requirements for TENs mean that you will have to submit one well in advance and before we discover if either England or Scotland have made it to the semis or final.”
Make sure you and your venue doesn’t lose out on trade this summer by ensuring you’re up to date on rules and regulations by checking: www.popall.co.uk
Poppleston Allen is the largest boutique licensing law firm in the UK and is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2024.
ENDS.
About Poppleston Allen:
Poppleston Allen is the largest boutique licensing law firm in the UK.
With offices in Nottingham and London, it focuses solely on the hospitality sector, giving advice in relation to alcohol and gaming licensing along with crimes related to serving alcohol (underage sales and drunkenness), health and safety, food safety and noise nuisance.
Many of the firm’s solicitors work with professional bodies, speak at industry events, write for the national trade press and advise central Government on licensing regulation.
Poppleston Allen has been the recipient of numerous awards over the years, including Law Firm of the Year and The Times Best Law Firms for Licensing and Gaming.
Clients include Wagamama, Mitchells & Butlers Plc, Stonegate Pub Company Limited, REKOM, Yo! ,Bourne Leisure Limited, Butlins, Vue Cinema, Paddy Power, Gala Bingo, Merkur Gaming plus hundreds of independent operators.
Contact: Charlotte Kerr, charlotte.kerr@pressboxpr.co.uk
Third-party news items that are posted on the Guild website’s news section come from press releases received by the Guild. These press releases are posted as they have been received and their publication on the Guild website is intended as an informational service provided to our members and website visitors. As such, the publication of a story from a third-party source is neither an endorsement of the content, nor its sender, by the Guild. For enquiries on any news item, please use the contact details that can be found at the bottom of each post.