UK licensees subject to new regulations

Licensees in the UK persistently convicted of selling alcohol to minors will be subject to significantly increased penalties as a result of a new set of regulations introduced recently under the Police Reform & Social Responsibility Act there.

Under the new Act the fine for underage sales has been doubled to £20,000 and it has been made much easier to shut down such offending businesses.

The period of voluntary closure as an alternative to a fine has also been increased to 14 days where it had been just two.
The new legislation has also enabled health bodies to join the list of those ‘responsible authorities’ who are automatically to be made aware of an application to open a new premises.

Furthermore, the Act removes the need for someone making an objection to the licence to be local. Anyone can now make representations at a licence hearing.

The Late Night Levy and Early Morning Restriction Orders are due to come into force this October.