Lords Committee launches Licensing Act inquiry

A House of Lords Committee has been set up to examine the effectiveness of the Licensing Act 2003 in the UK, asking “what happened to café culture?”

The House of Lords Licensing Act 2003 Committee will investigate the effectiveness of the Act

The Licensing Act 2003 established a single scheme for licensing premises which are used for the sale or supply of alcohol, or to provide regulated entertainment or late night refreshment.

Permission to undertake some or all of these activities is contained in a single ‘premises’ licence, which is issued by local authorities.

The Act was intended to “provide greater freedom to the hospitality and leisure industry”, give consumers “more choice”, and grant authorities the power to deal with “misuse” of these freedoms.

While many anticipated the Act would encourage a positive wave of continental ‘café culture’, and critics believed its introduction would lead to a spike in disorder and dip in public health, no formal analysis has ever taken place.

Chair of the Committee, Baroness McIntosh of Pickering, said the investigation is “long overdue”.

“The Licensing Act 2003 enabled premises to serve alcohol for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. While many heralded the Act as the start of a more continental drinking culture, others predicted round-the-clock consumption, leading to disorder and a deterioration in public health.

“But what has the reality actually been like? Has deregulation allowed the drinks industry to thrive? Have drinkers embraced a more relaxed and healthier approach to alcohol? What happened to the anticipated café culture?”

The House of Lords Licensing Act 2003 Committee will now investigate the effectiveness of the Act, examining the balance between rights and responsibilities of both the industry and the public; the powers of enforcement authorities, including the police; and the impact that any greater availability of alcohol has had on the health of the population.

The Committee will also consider the role of licensing in shaping local areas, for the benefit of the economy and the local community; as well as whether the Act has made it easier or harder for communities to enjoy activities that have to be licensed under the Act.

In addition the fees and costs associated with the Act along with minimum unit pricing and its potential impact will also be analysed.

Baroness McIntosh added: “For good or ill, the Licensing Act has altered the drinking landscape of England and Wales, but an examination of the changes is long overdue. I would therefore encourage as many people as possible to send us written evidence before our deadline of 2 September.”

The Committee will begin its inquiry next week by questioning Government officials from the Home Office, Department of Culture Media and Sport, and the Department of Health, as well as officials from Public Health England.