Guidance

Licensing Act: giving more power to families and communities on local licensing

Consultation on the overhaul of the licensing regime, to give more power to local communities and families on local licensing.

Documents

Rebalancing the Licensing Act - a consultation on empowering individuals, families and local communities to shape and determine local licensing (PDF file - 368kb)

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Details

This consultation asks for your opinions on government plans to overhaul the current licensing regime, in order to give more power to local authorities and police. This will help them deal with alcohol-related crime and disorder, while also promoting responsible business.

The proposals include:

  • overhauling the Licensing Act to give local authorities and the police much stronger powers to remove licences from, or refuse to grant licences to premises that are causing problems
  • allowing councils and the police to permanently shut down any shop or bar that is repeatedly selling alcohol to children
  • doubling the maximum fine for those caught selling alcohol to minors to £20,000
  • allowing local councils to charge more for late-night licences, which will help pay for additional policing
  • banning the sale of alcohol below cost price

We’re interested in what you think the implications of implementing the proposals will be, rather than your views on the commitments themselves.

Comment online

You can tell us what you think about the new plans by filling in our online form.

Or if you prefer, you can read the full consultation document and respond via email or post.

Published 28 July 2010