Off-sales licensing changes and outdoor hospitality and structures in Bristol

Off-sales licensing changes 
Temporary measures allowing off-sales of alcohol end on 30 September 2022.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a temporary measure was introduced to the Business and Planning Act 2020 and Licensing Act 2003 allowing all premises previously restricted to the sales of alcohol for consumption on the premises (on-sale) to supply alcohol for consumption off the premises (off-sales).

The change was introduced in 2020, and each year since has been extended. However, the temporary provisions relating to off-sales will now end on 30 September 2022.

Any premises licence holder who would like to continue to benefit from the provision of off-sales, especially if you have tables and chairs outside your venue, will need to seek a variation to your premises licence for off-sales or a change to the footprint of the licensable area.

Visit the website for information on the different types of alcohol licences available and guidance on how to apply for them.

www.bristol.gov.uk/licences-permits/premises-licences 

Some premises whose licence already covered their outside area or already had the benefit of off-sales will be unaffected by this change. 

Outdoor hospitality and structures 
There are two main types of outdoor places from which alcohol will be consumed: 
1.    an outdoor place which is covered by the premises licence for on-sales
2.    an outdoor space which is not covered by the premises licence and is therefore an off-sale, for example on a highway

A pavement licence will only grant you permission to place furniture on the highway.

Premises that have or are looking to expand outdoors, with customers consuming alcohol on the highway will need both a premises licence to sell alcohol and a pavement licence.

Visit the council website for information on outdoor hospitality: licences and guidance.

www.bristol.gov.uk/licences-permits/roads-and-highway-licences/outdoor-hospitality-licences 

The council are following the Business and Planning 2020 Act (BPA) which allows pavement licences to remain in place up to 30 September 2023. After this date, the provisions will be made permanent by virtue of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill currently passing through parliament, but the provisions will be nearly identical.