Forum Brief: Queen's Speech - Licensing hours

The government is set to finally call time on Britain's licensing laws during this session of parliament.

Fixed opening hours will be abolished to be replaced with changes to the powers local authorities have in determining what time individual pubs and clubs should close.

Forum Response: British Retail Consortium

Bill Moyes, director general of the British Retail Consortium, said: "The reform of licensing laws and the abolishment of pub 'fixed opening hours' is welcome as it will help tackle alcohol related anti-social behaviour, particularly around current closing times when retailers are open and staff face possible physical and verbal abuse.

"It will end the nonsense of refusing alcohol sales during certain trading hours. We will work hard to ensure this works for retailers."

Forum Response: Six Continents

A spokesman for Six Continents told ePolitix.com: "Six Continents welcomes the government's decision to introduce a Licensing Bill.

"We will be looking at the details of the draft bill and the proposed national guidance notes and national fee structure when they are published, as we want to see a licensing regime that will work and that will be of benefit both to the industry and to our customers."

Forum Response: Local Government Association

Councillor Susie Kemp, chair of the LGA public protection executive, said: "This is a major responsibility for councils to take on, but it is logical that we do. Deciding from who, where and when alcohol should be sold is best be done by elected councillors who are accountable to their local communities and already responsible for many related functions.

"We are uniquely placed to take on board and understand the best interests of local communities and ensure the sensible use and sale of alcohol, balancing competing interests in an open and democratic way.

"However, it is important that practical details are thrashed out and that local authorities have discretion to vary fees and charges based on local circumstances. We must also continue our lobbying of government to ensure that the transfer is not rushed, especially for the larger authorities.

"Not least, it is vital that the full costs of running this service are transferred from magistrates to local authorities, so that other vital services don't suffer."

Forum Response: Federation of Small Businesses

A spokesman for the FSB told ePolitix.com: "The FSB welcomes the abolition of fixed opening hours but will monitor the legislation to ensure that opening hours remain the decision of landlords not pub companies."

Forum Response: British Beer and Pub Association

Rob Haywood, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: "We want to see licensing law reform with the flexibility, modernisation and boost tourism which goes with it. A change is long overdue and will bring England and Wales into line not only with other countries of continental Europe, but also with Scotland.

"There are naturally key elements of the proposed reform, where details have yet to be made public, about which there is potential cause for serious concern.

"We are, however, dealing with an issue which has always had cross party support and, in Kim Howells, a minister who has proved constructive and helpful in his conversations with representatives of the industry."

Forum Response: ACCA

A spokesman for ACCA told ePolitix.com: "ACCA will be assessing the many regulatory implications of 24 hour opening for licensed premises, including part-time working regulations and employers' liability insurance.

"The government claims that the Bill will deliver savings to licensed businesses of nearly £2 billion over the next ten years through reforms and reduction of 'red tape' and will 'significantly expand the leisure and entertainment options available to the consumer'.

"However, ACCA comments that, if businesses are going to profit from this, they will need to more than offset the inevitably higher costs of employment and insurance."