Proposed Alcohol Licensing Legislation Changes

Closed 18 Jan 2021

Opened 14 Dec 2020

Feedback updated 19 Apr 2021

We asked

The purpose of the consultation was to seek views about the policy principles which were to underpin forthcoming licensing legislation.

The present alcohol licensing regime on the Island was recognised to be outdated, overly bureaucratic and inflexible and possible alternatives were set out within the consultation document as discussion points.

You said

The Department received 95 responses, of which –

  • 30 were on behalf of an organisation; and
  • 65 were from individuals

We did

All responses received during the consultation have been considered and have helped to make shape the Bill.

In the interests of fully and comprehensively summarising the views which were provided and the points which have been incorporated into the draft Bill a summary of responses document has been generated and made available via a link in the Files section below.

To coincide with the publication of this summary of responses, there is now also a separate brief consultation on the draft Bill itself that can  be found on the Consultation Hub, presently under open consultations (as at April 2021).

As was noted in the previous policy consultation, it was the intention of the Department that in bringing forward this Bill, following detailed consultation on the policy behind it, that the timelines for the subsequent draft Bill consultation be abbreviated to two weeks.

This is because the Department is keen to ensure that the finalised Bill is given every chance to pass through the legislative process before the House of Keys elections in 2021, and time for this to take place grows short.

Results updated 19 Apr 2021

Files:

Overview

The Department of Home Affairs is conducting this consultation to seek your views on planned changes to the alcohol licensing regime in the Island.

The consultation asks questions about the policy principles which will underpin forthcoming licensing legislation.  Please provide your comments on as many of the points as possible to ensure that we can fully understand and consider your views.

Why your views matter

The present alcohol licensing regime on the Island is now outdated, overly bureaucratic and inflexible.

The Department, which has responsibility for the licensing regime, is conscious that any new system must balance several competing needs. Enabling economic growth through a more streamlined licensing procedure which is responsive to innovation, representing the needs of all those in the licensed trade and keeping the Island a healthy and safe place to live have all been considered. The Department has a long standing and positive relationship with the licensed trade and hopes to build on this in the future. 

Before bringing forward legislation that will fundamentally change the structure of licensing on the Island, the Department is looking to consult with all interested parties who might share their views on the policy and structure that will be put in place. This is a genuine opportunity for interested parties, key stakeholders, industry representatives, and colleagues across the government and legislature to come forward with their views that once received and considered will inform the changes brought forward in the draft licensing bill. 

This consultation covers the policy principles which inform the drafting of the legislation and will be open for the next 4 weeks. A Bill will follow that will also be subject to a briefer consultation early next year. We are reducing the usual timescales recommended for consultations because the progress of the Bill was delayed over the Covid pandemic and the Department is keen to ensure the Bill is given every chance to pass through the legislative process before the election in 2021.

This consultation will be open for the next 4 weeks with a Bill to follow that will also be subject to a briefer consultation early next year.

Areas

  • All Areas

Audiences

  • All residents

Interests

  • Legislation
  • Policies, strategies & plans
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Licensing