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The Government is seeking public input on a proposal to extend licensing hours in England and Wales for certain matches during the 2024 UEFA European Championship, with an accompanying provision for late-night refreshment in on-trade licensed premises.
30 November 2023
Insight
The Government has launched a consultation on extending licensing hours in England and Wales for certain matches (specifically the semi-final and final) during the European Championship, which takes place between 14 June and 14 July next year, in Germany.
The proposal is to extend licensing hours if the England men’s national football team, and/or the Wales men’s national football team, and/or the Scotland men’s national football team are successful in reaching the semi-final of Euro 2024, and if either team subsequently reach the final of the tournament. The order would not take effect should none of these teams reach those stages.
It is proposed that a licensing hours order under section 172 of the Licensing Act 2003, would extend opening hours on the days of the semi-final (09 and/or 10 July) and the final (14 July) so that they would end at 01:00 (early in the morning after the matches have taken place) rather than 23:00 on the day of the matches for the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises.
Any extension would relate to the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises only and the provision of late-night refreshment in on-trade licensed premises.
The Government believes that the on-trade provision of late-night refreshment in licensed premises would be appropriate to accompany a relaxation of alcohol licensing hours for the relevant Euro 2024 matches, not least to support people to drink responsibly. Any relaxation would, therefore, not cover regulated entertainment as this relaxation would relate specifically to Euro 2024.
The consultation is aimed at members of the public, local licensing authorities, licensed premises, and other interested parties in England and Wales where these proposals apply.
Link to the Government consultation and survey.
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