Off sales relaxations to end?

In May 2022, we reported on the comments of Paul Regan of the Neighbourhood Crime Unit at the Home Office who wrote to Licensing Authorities stating in respect of pandemic related off sales relaxations:

• “given the absence of Covid restrictions in England and Wales, there is no legal basis for a further extension and, accordingly, the measure will lapse on 30 September 2022”

That article can be found here.

Since then the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities' Summer regulatory update has confirmed that "We (i.e. the Government) are engaging with stakeholders to understand if there is appetite to amend the Licensing Act so as to allow a permanent form of these regulatory easements."

We will keep an eye on whether this develops but as it stands the current off sales relaxations are still due to end on 30 September 2022.

If you have any queries or concerns as to how that might impact your business, please contact one of our solicitors to discuss.