Liquor Licensing – Public Consultation on Market Diversity and Innovation

Overview

The Department for Communities is conducting a public consultation on the effectiveness of the current liquor licensing arrangements in supporting market diversity and innovation.

The Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (the Order) establishes the legislative framework governing the sale of alcohol across Northern Ireland. Under this framework, any person wishing to sell alcohol must hold an appropriate licence granted by the courts.

Survey  description

Under section 23 of the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2021 (the Act) the Department  appointed an independent consortium, led by the University of Stirling, to undertake a comprehensive review of the Liquor Licensing System in Northern Ireland. The Report of the Independent Review of the Liquor Licensing System in Northern Ireland, including the Surrender Principle (the Report) was published on 21 February 2025 and outlined 26 comprehensive recommendations.

In light of the authors’ observation as to a lack of diversity in licensed venue type in Northern Ireland,  Recommendation 18 proposed the creation of a "Cultural Venue" licence. The authors did not recommend a definition of “Cultural Venue” but suggested that ‘licences should be created, prioritising businesses that would increase the diversity of venue types and/or promote cultural activities.’

In its Response to the Report, published on the 18 November, the Department recognised the licensing regime should, where possible, support greater market diversity, and committed to:

• explore how far the objectives of Recommendation 18 could be delivered within the context of the current licensing regime;
• consider potential solutions if it found that the current regime does not adequately support market diversity . This includes the potential introduction of secondary legislation to expand the categories of venue eligible to apply for a place of public entertainment licence.

The current licensing regime provides for 13 different categories of licences (outlined in Article 5(1) of the Order) These are:

• Public houses, commonly known as “pubs”;
• Off‑licences;
• Hotels;
• Guest houses;
• Restaurants;
• Conference centres;
• Higher education institutions;
• Places of public entertainment;
• Refreshment rooms within certain transport premises;
• Seamen’s canteens;
• Indoor arenas;
• Outdoor stadia;
• Local Producers.

In certain circumstances the current licensing regime provides for the sale of alcohol to take place in parallel to different forms of entertainment:

• Places of public entertainment licence – under Article 5(1)(h) of the Order, provides that intoxicating liquor may be sold to people employed by or attending entertainment at licensed ballrooms, theatres, cinemas and racetracks;
• Indoor arenas & Outdoor stadia – Under Articles 5(1)(k) and 5(1)(l) of the Order intoxicating liquor may be sold to people employed by or attending an event or activity at these premises;
• Occasional Licence – under Article 30 of the Order, permits the holder of an existing pub, hotel or restaurant licence to sell intoxicating liquor temporarily at premises other than their normal licensed premises for a specific event.

Why your views matter

This consultation seeks views from all parties with an interest including members of the public, and current and prospective licensees from across Northern Ireland.  The Department would also be interested in hearing from any other interested individuals, parties or organisations for example trade bodies, religious organisations, public sector organisations and health organisations.  

The survey is expected to take 10 minutes to complete.