Changes to alcohol licensing come into effect

Licensed premises in Northern Ireland can now apply for later opening hours

The first phase in a number of reforms to alcohol licensing has become law. The key changes are:

• pubs and hotels can apply to open until 2am up to 104 nights per year
• smaller pubs will be able to open to 1am up to 104 nights per year
• drinking-up time is increased to 1 hour
• all additional restrictions on opening hours over Easter weekend are removed
• removal of restrictions on late opening on Sunday
• licensed race tracks are allowed to sell alcohol on Sundays
• registered clubs will be able to open to 1am up to 104 nights per year

Phased changes

A number of other changes are expected to come into effect around April 2022. These include:

• New licence categories: Businesses such as craft breweries, distilleries and cideries will be able to apply for a licence to sell alcohol on their premises. There will also be a category for cinemas.
• Children’s certificates: There will be changes to the rules on Children’s certificates, meaning that under-18s events could take place at licensed premises.
• Surrender principle: Rules preventing new licences being granted until an existing licence has been surrendered will be reviewed within one year.

First published 22 September 2021