The Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2021

In Northern Ireland, alcohol may only be sold to the public in licensed premises. The Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 specifies the categories of premises for which a licence may be granted. Private Members’ clubs which wish to supply alcohol to members and guests may apply for a certificate of registration under the Registration of Clubs (Norther Ireland) Order 1996.

The Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2021 proposes a number of amendments to both existing Regulations, changes which have already come into effect (from 1st October 2021) include:

• Removal of additional restrictions at Easter
• Removal of restrictions on late opening for on-sales on Sunday
• Public houses and hotels: further additional hours
• Alignment of closing time for liquor and entertainment
• Police authorisations for additional hours

A guide to the Phase 1 changes that came in on 1 October 2021 is available.

Detail of the remaining changes along with indicative dates is now available here, phase 2 is scheduled to come into effect in April 2022.