Latest News

03 Jan 2023

Age verification technology in alcohol sales - Call for proposals

Following on from the Home Office’s publication of key learning from their 2022 trials the Government has issued a call…. “…to encourage efforts to develop new technology to improve the experience of consumers and r...

03 Jan 2023

Age verification technology in alcohol sales - Home Office Key Learning

As we have previously reported the Home Office has worked with the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) to create a Regulatory ‘Sandbox’ to allow the trial of several age verification technologies. The aim was to assess and ...

19 Dec 2022

Alcohol Duty set to be frozen for an additional six months

In a boost for the hospitality sector, it has been reported that the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, will delay increases to alcohol duty, which were to take effect on 1 February 2023, for a further six months to 1 August 2023.  Alcohol Duty was du...

19 Dec 2022

Possibility of Extension of Hours for The King's Coronation – England and Wales

Licensed Premises in England & Wales may benefit from extended hours in celebration of the King's coronation in May 2023.  The Government has said that it will consult on making an Order (a Licensing Hours Order) to extend hours from 11p...

16 Dec 2022

Portman Group Release 2022 Regulation Report

The Portman Group has released its 2022 Regulation Report.  The report includes details of the Group's update to its alcohol labelling guidelines, updates to two pieces of guidance aimed at reducing drink driving, the launch of a Portman Gro...

16 Dec 2022

Westminster Council Trial "Pee Paint" in the West End

No...before anyone thinks it, Westminster are not painting walls with urine. They are, however, trialling specialist "pee paint" on urination hotspots in the West End.  The coating, which can be applied to exterior walls, creates a bounce-ba...