Licensing Hours Extended for Royal Wedding

To mark the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Saturday 19^th May 2018, the government has decided to extend opening hours for licensed premises over the Royal Wedding weekend with the Licensing Act 2003 (Royal Wedding Licensing Hours) Order 2018.

On Friday 18^th and Saturday 19^th May 2018, pubs and bars which already hold a licence authorising ‘licensable activity’ until 11pm will be permitted to serve alcohol until 1am, without having to apply for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN). Affected venues may also provide late night refreshment during the extended opening hours, provided that it may also be used for the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises.

The purpose of the order is to ‘enable pubs and other on-trade premises to sell alcohol and late night refreshment’ to those wishing to take part in the celebrations beyond usual opening hours and does not apply to unlicensed premises or those which already hold a late night licence.

The order will also not apply to alcohol sale by retail or any sale of alcohol to be consumed off the premises, for example by supermarkets, off-licenses and takeaways.

For advice and guidance on alcohol premises or personal licensing, please contact the Licensing team at Mincoffs on 0191 281 6151 or email Matt Foster, Head of Department at mfoster@mincoffs.co.uk.