Licensing 'overhaul' consultation will last just six weeks

A Home Office consultation on plans to "overhaul" the licensing regime will last just six weeks as government officials race to get the measures into Parliament by October.

An email sent by a Home Office official, seen by The Publican,​ says the consultation - which includes plans for a late-night levy - will take place from the end of this month until early September.

Separately, The Publican ​has learnt the consultation will be officially launched next Wednesday (July 28).

The email states: "The truncated nature of the consultation is due to the government's wish to take these measures forward through the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill which is due to be introduced in October."

Paul Smith, executive director at Noctis, said the speed of the consultation "doesn't bode well".

"These are big issues that cannot be resolved quickly," he said.

"There was quite a lot of these truncated consultations with the last government and you would hope the new government approaches this in a methodical way."

Meanwhile, as part of the consultation, regional events, similar to those for the mandatory code, will be held in London, Birmingham, Cardiff and Blackpool.

Licensees will be able to attend, but dates have yet to be confirmed.

The consultation will set out plans to "overhaul" licensing, including allowing councils to charge a levy for late-opening venues. It remains unclear whether this will cover the off-trade.

However a ban on supermarkets selling alcohol below-cost is also included in the proposals.

Six separate workshops for trade representatives are being held in Central London from July 30 to August 6.