When I last reported that the Government did not intend to continue the regulatory easement of off sales after September 2023 there was a degree of consternation amongst operators in our great hospitality sector. However, I’m delighted to report that the Government has now conceded the points that we made to it on this issue in consultation and subsequently and has agreed that the temporary permission allowing off sales should be continued until 31st of March 2025.

It is also somewhat heartening to see the Home Office acknowledge within the text of the revised guidance that it is clearly more then labour shortages and the cost of living crisis which is affecting the bottom lines of many great restaurants and bars across the United Kingdom. These points were made during consultation in a submissions against the extension of the temporary permission but it is self evidently clear that if you lock down an entire economy and particularly an entire sector such as hospitality for many months it is highly likely that many of these businesses will either go to the wall [which many did] or will find it incredibly difficult to trade in a post lockdown environment. The Government cannot expect people to turn round businesses which have been deprived of the lifeblood of income for many months particular during an energy crisis and then carry on as if nothing had ever happened once the forced closures come to an end. There are countless businesses still reeling financially from the effects of the lockdowns which government imposed upon them and it is right that government now assist these businesses to bounce back. It is also to be hoped that the Government makes these proposals permanent as from March 2025 because it will take years for small restaurants and bars to recover.

I have attached the document to this post for you to read at your leisure. It was published on 22nd of September.  You can see the whole document here Alcohol licensing: guidance on temporary off-sales permissions – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

It should be remembered that the temporary extensions only have effect until 11:00 PM and that if you wish to have off sales after this time then a variation application will have to be made to the licencing authority in the usual way.

We are advising clients and other operators on the off sales provisions currently and if you have any issues which require resolution do get in touch through our contact page.