Reforms to cut red tape could save trade billions
Bureaucracy surrounding entertainment licences and late-night drinking is to be slashed in an attempt to help the trade save billions of pounds each year.
Some of the licensing reforms could be in place as soon as this year, as part of a new Government plan to cut red tape.
Under proposals for regulatory reform published by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, parts of the Time to Reform White Paper could also be in place by next year.
The plan includes: relaxing licensing laws for two hours on the Golden Jubilee, a change to gaming machines, updating Welsh licensing laws, the removal of the supper hours certificate and an overhaul of outdated liquor and entertainment licensing laws.
The details of the reforms to licensing laws have not yet been revealed but, based on the Time to Reform White Paper, they could include changing licences so one basic licence carries conditions on the sale of alcohol, music and dancing, other forms of public entertainment and provision for late-night alcohol sales.
Licensing minister Kim Howells said: "Hospitality businesses and publicans will save billions of pounds with our plans to cut red tape.
"Regulatory reform may sound dry but removing unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles saves the industry time, headaches and money.
"We have set out our plans, fixed our timetables where we can and we are working hard to deliver on our promises."
The trade's Red Tape Group, which has been campaigning for a cut in bureaucracy for some time, has welcomed the reforms.
Last year representatives from the group met small business minister Nigel Griffiths and put forward proposals to be included in the reforms. Its suggestions included licensing regulation, the Golden Jubilee and restaurant licensing.
Kate Nicholls, spokeswoman for the Red Tape Group, said: "We welcome the action plan as a sign of the Government's commitment to removing unnecessary burdens from business.
"What we need now is action on the most pressing areas of red tape - liquor and entertainment licensing, employment law and the VAT and tax regimes - not just a wish list.
"This is a sensible first step, but it is only one part of a continuing process - to look for ways to cut unnecessary red tape and out of date regulation and to tackle unwieldy or burdensome proposals before they take effect."
John Madden, spokesman for the Guild of Master Victuallers, said: "This is certainly a move in the right direction. It is good news."
What is being done
- permitted licensing hours for the Queen's Golden Jubilee will be relaxed for two hours on the evening of June 3 2002.
Completed: in time for June 2002 - about a dozen laws governing the licensing of alcohol sales, public entertainment and the provision of late night refreshment will be reformed and modernised in accordance with the White Paper Time to Reform.
Completed: as soon as Parliamentary time allows - people will be allowed to use banknotes and smart cards to play gaming machines.
Completed: 2002 - the requirement for supper hours certificates will be removed.
Completed: February 2002 - the provisions of the Licensing Act 1964 which require a poll every seven years in every Welsh district to decide if licensed premises may sell alcohol on Sundays will be repealed.
Completed: 2003
