This article looks at the Government’s decision to extend licensing hours to mark the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on 19 May 2018 but notes that the extension only applies to the sale of alcohol.
Earlier this year, the Government consulted as to whether or not to extend licensing hours for the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on 19 May 2018 and after the consultation period ended, the Government decided to make an Order to extend licensing hours on the following dates and times:
- 11:00pm on Friday 18 May to 01:00am on Saturday 19 May
- 11:00pm on Saturday 19 May to 01:00am on Sunday 20 May.
It is to be noted however, that the effect of this Order allows licensed premises to remain open until 01:00am for the sale of alcohol but it does not apply to the sale of hot food or provision of regulated entertainment.
Any restaurant, therefore, that wishes to stay open later and use the extended hours may have to apply for a Temporary Event Notice if it wishes to sell hot food and similarly, advice will have to be taken as to whether any exemptions under the Live Music Act 2012 apply, or whether an application for a Temporary Event Notice is required for entertainment.
In announcing the decision, Amber Rudd said: “The Royal Wedding is a chance for communities across the Country to join together and celebrate this momentously happy occasion for our Royal Family and for our nation. As shown by the support for the proposal to extend licensing hours, it is clear that the public back the idea of having more time to raise a glass to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on a day of national celebration”.
The Home Secretary has special powers to allow licensing hours to be extended for a celebration period to mark an occasion of exceptional international, or local, significance and since the power was introduced in 2003, it has been used a number of times, including on the occasion ofthe Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding in 2011, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in July 2012 and the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations in 2016.
If anyone requires advice as to whether or not a Temporary Event Notice is required on this occasion for the sale of hot food or provision of regulated entertainment, please contact me at andrew@woodswhur.co.uk.