Home Office Licensing Statistics in the year to 31 March 2013

The Home Office has just released comprehensive statistics relating to alcohol and late night refreshment licensing England and Wales as at 31 March 2013. The DCMS' statistics relating to entertainment figures is expected on 5 December 2013.

The statistics themselves can be found here but the main points of interest are principally reproduced below.

1) Premises Licences

Based on the data received from Licensing Authorities and estimates for the non-respondents, there were 204,400 premises licences as at 31 March 2013, equating to 1% (1,900) more than the same point last year.

Further, of interest:

• 37,800 premises were licensed for on-sales of alcohol only - up 4% (1,300) compared the same point last year;
• 53,900 premises were licensed for off-sales or supply of alcohol only, up 5% (2,400); and 
• 80,400 premises were licensed for on- or off-sales or supply, down 2% (-1,600).

In addition, based on the data received from most but not all Licensing Authorities, there were:

• 9,547 applications for new premises licences in the year to 31 March 2013;
  • 8,710 of these were granted (4% of the total number of premises licences were in force on 31 March 2013);
  • 313 were refused; and the
  • outcome was unknown or to be decided for 524
• 6,533 variation applications;
  • 6,021 granted;
  • 228 refused; and the
  • outcome unknown or to be decided for 284;
• 5,053 licences surrendered;
• 608 licences lapsed;
• 28 suspended by the Court;
• 3,880 suspended by a Licensing Authority; and
• 14 were affected by a closure notice.

2) Personal Licences

Based on data received from Licensing Authorities and estimates for the non-respondents, there were 544,600 personal licences in force in England and Wales on 31 March 2013. This is 7% (34,300) more than the same point last year and 39% (153,000) more than 31 March 2009.

In addition, based on the data received from most but not all Licensing Authorities:

• 610 personal licences were surrendered;
• 11 personal licences were revoked;
• 6 personal licences were forfeited; and
• 15 personal licences were suspended.

3) 24 hour alcohol licences

Based on data received from most but not all Licensing Authorities, there were 7,672 24-hour alcohol licences in force on 31 March 2013 and the premises type was known for 7,352 of these.

Further details as at 31 March 2013 for 24 hour alcohol licences include:

• 45% (3,295) were hotel bars (of which where known 85% (2,660) were open 24 hours for guests only and 15% (481) were also open to the public);
• 28% (2,082) were supermarkets and stores (of which where known 53% (1,072) were for convenience stores and 47% (963) were large supermarkets); and
• 12% (918) were pubs, bars, and nightclubs.

4) Reviews

Based on the data received from Licensing Authorities and estimates for non-respondents there were 800 Reviews completed in the year to 31 March 2013, which is 27% (-300) fewer than the previous year.

This breaks down further (based data received from most but not all Licensing Authorities) as:

• 86% (667) for premises licences following a general application for a review;
• 11% (88) for premises licences following an application by the police for an expedited review;
• 2% (15) for premises licences following a closure order; and
• 1% (9) for club premises certificates.

Instigators of Reviews were as follows:

• 59% (460) - Police;
• 21% (165) - Trading Standards;
• 9% (70) - Environmental Health;
• 6% (47) - Residents; and
• 5% (35) - Other.

Outcomes of Reviews included:

• 471 - conditions added or modified;
• 150 - licence revoked / club premises certificate withdrawn;
• 98 - suspension; and
• 58 - no action taken.

5) Expedited Reviews

Based on data received from most but not all Licensing Authorities there were 94 applications for an expedited review in the year to 31 March 2013. However, 3 of these applications were withdrawn or rejected.

Interim steps were taken for 87 expedited reviews and none were taken in 5 cases. Interim steps taken included:

• 47 occasions - licence suspended;
• 31 occasions - conditions added or modified;
• 19 occasions - DPS removed;
• 15 occasions - operating hours modified;
• 10 occasions - licensable activity partially restricted; and
• 2 occasions - licensable activity excluded.

6) Hearings, Appeals and Judicial Reviews

a) Hearings

Based on data received from most but not all Licensing Authorities:

• 3,289 premises licence/club premises certificate applications went to a committee hearing; and
• 226 personal licence applications went to a committee hearing.

b) Appeals

In respect of appeals:

• There were 109 completed appeals against the application decision (where the Magistrates' Court notified parties of its decision in the time period specified); and
• 114 completed appeals against the licence review decision.

In the year to 31 March 2013, 230 Licensing Authorities reported that no appeals were made against any decision.

c) Judicial Reviews

Only 1 judicial review was completed.

7) Cumulative Impact Areas

Based on data received from most but not all Licensing Authorities there were 175 Cumulative Impact Areas in place on 31 March 2013.

8) Temporary Event Notices (TENs)

Based on data received from most but not all Licensing Authorities there were:

• 138,300 TENs used in the year to 31 March 2013, equating to
  • 4% (5,600) more than in the previous year; and
  • 13% (16,200) more than in the year to 31 March 2009.