UK govt to discuss alcohol delivery services

The UK parliament’s House of Lords is to discuss drinks industry issues with off-trade and licensing bodies, covering home delivery, street drinking and under-age sales.

The UK government will hear an evidence session looking at the Licensing Act 2003 and topics such as home delivery

The House of Lords Licensing Act 2003 Committee will meet tomorrow (6 September) to explore whether the act needs to be updated or improved

Initially introduced to “provide greater freedom” to the hospitality and leisure industry and increase consumer choice, the legislation also gives authorities powers to deal with misuse.

Topics including home delivery, street drinking and under-age sales will be discussed, alongside the extent of excessive drinking, whether super-strength alcohol is a concern, minimum unit pricing, “pre-loading”, and whether organisations fully understand the act.

The committee will first hear from Daniel Davies, national chairman, Institute of Licensing; John Miley, chair, National Association of Licensing and Enforcement Officers; Marie-Claire Frankie, licensing solicitor, National Association of Licensing and Enforcement Officers; and Michael Kheng, from the British Institute of Innkeeping.

They will be followed by James Lowman, chief executive, Association of Convenience Stores; Miles Beale, chief executive, Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA); and Gill Sherratt, a licensing consultant for off-licence chains.

The evidence session will be broadcast live online at parliamentlive.tv, and details will be tweeted using the hashtag #HLlicensing.

Earlier this year the government issued a call for evidence into tipping practice in the hospitality sector after issuing plans to “secure a fairer deal for workers”.