The government's response to the consultation on the new mandatory licensing code has been published. The five conditions of the code were recently announced, including banning 'irresponsible promotions' in pubs and bars and premises being required to offer free tap water and small measures.
Although the code does not place restrictions on off-sales promotions, the consultation prompted the move to allow licensing authorities to be able call for license reviews as 'interested parties', with guidance due shortly.
The response to the consultation findings are provided in:
- Selling alcohol responsibly: a consultation on the new code of practice for alcohol retailers - overview report (PDF)
- Results from the Ipsos MORI report on selling alcohol responsibly (PDF)
The government's response is likely to be of interest to licensed premises, industry bodies and statutory bodies representing a range of views on the new code. Its announcement sparked criticism from the on-trade who highlighted they were being unfairly targeted as supermarkets were left untouched.
The consultation response says:
"A range of concerns were
raised regarding the proposed local
discretionary conditions. To address
these concerns, the Home Secretary
tabled a number of amendments to the
Policing and Crime Bill to remove the
power for licensing authorities to
impose local conditions with groups of
premises, instead, giving members of
licensing authorities the power to act
as ‘interested parties’ under the
Licensing Act, as suggested by a
number of key stakeholders."
The conditions will come into force in April and October 2010 pending parliamentary approval.
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