The Government published a consultation last month on the Community and Ancillary Sellers Notice (CAN) as part of its Deregulation Bill, which is currently being considered by Parliament.
The CAN intends to allow particular low-risk businesses and community groups to sell small amounts of alcohol, while providing appropriate, light-touch controls. Currently licences can cost between £100 and £1900, plus a £75 application fee, which some smaller businesses argue is excessive.
The CAN consultation proposes for a low, one-off fee, a CAN user would for three years be able to sell a limited amount alcohol between 7am and 11pm. Community groups would be able to name up to three premises at which they will sell alcohol at organised events, with a maximum of 300 attendees.
However controversy over the move was triggered by Labour peer Lord Brooke who said the proposal was in response to alcohol industry pressures which are "seeking to extend the areas in which it is selling alcohol in other forms". Lord Brooke also asked why health bodies had not been consulted. It was suggested the proposal poses a risk to children as it would repeal the offence of selling liqueur confectionery to those under the age of 16. Home Office spokeswoman Baroness Williams responded that "The rules are that 0.2 litres per kilogram is the limit and that is to stop vast quantities of alcohol being put into food."
The consultation closes on 9 December - see the factsheet, impact assessment, and respond online here. The factsheet says areas still to be decided are: 'exact limits on the amount of alcohol that can be served and any exceptions; eligible business types (including the maximum size); the definition of qualifying community groups; the frequency of permitted events and details on the fee'.
Introducing the consultation, Lynn Featherstone, Crime Prevention Minister, said:
"Under existing arrangements small accommodation providers such as bed and breakfasts and community groups are subject to the same licensing regime and scrutiny as businesses which sell much higher quantities of alcohol including large hotels and off-licences. These groups have told us that these requirements are heavy handed for those who want to sell small amounts of alcohol as part of a wider service.
The Coalition government is committed to reducing the unnecessary burdens on responsible businesses, but not at the expense of undermining safeguards against crime and disorder or public nuisance and we want to get this balance right."
The CAN will be a new authorisation under the Licensing Act 2003. See here for Home Office licensing guidance, including revised guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003.
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