Summary
The Department has commenced a review of the changes made to the legislation regulating the retail sale and supply of alcoholic drinks in licensed premises and registered clubs which came into operation on 6 April 2022 and 1 June 2022. The review will consider the implementation and effectiveness of each of the changes made.
Consultation description
The Department has launched a series of online surveys to assist with a review of the changes made to the legislation regulating the retail sale and supply of alcoholic drinks in licensed premises and registered clubs, which came into operation on 6 April 2022 and 1 June 2022. Some of the changes at this time included:
- major events order - The Department has the power to make a ‘major event order’, designating an event in Northern Ireland which will attract significant public interest as a ‘major event’, which can temporarily extend the hours alcoholic drinks can be sold.
- a new category of licence for cinemas - Cinemas can apply to the courts for a licence to sell alcoholic drinks.
- a new category of licence for local producers - Local producers of alcoholic drinks can apply to the courts for a licence to sell their own products.
- occasional licences - The police can attend a hearing for an occasional licence and ask for specific conditions to be applied.
- underage functions - Certain licensed premises can apply to the courts to hold a function designed to appeal to young people under the age of 18.
The surveys have been designed to capture the views and experiences from the general public, and also those who may have been impacted by these changes, such as licence holders and registered club officials. The Department would also be interested in hearing from any other interested parties for example legal firms, church groups, trade bodies, and health organisations.
Your responses to these surveys will make an important contribution to the Department’s report and may help shape future changes to policy and legislation.
If you are responding as a member of the public or as a member of a registered club, please use this version of the survey.
If you hold a liquor licence, please use this version of the survey.
If you are a registered club official, please use this version of the survey.
If you are responding on behalf of an organisation, please use this version of the survey.