The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has expressed concerns at the Government’s announcement of plans to insert a new amendment into the Crime and Security Bill.
The amendment would give councils the power to make early morning alcohol restriction orders, stopping licensed premises in a defined area from selling alcohol between 3am and 6am.
These orders could be imposed either on a full time basis or for specific days.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “In the small proportion of convenience stores and forecourts that have a 24-hour licence, these new powers have the potential to limit the range on offer to customers, even though it is likely that these stores will not be in city centres where the Government is most concerned about problems relating to 24-hour licenses.
“For local shops the new powers could be extremely disruptive.
“However, this amendment also has wider repercussions for the entire licensed trade.
“It challenges the principle of the Licensing Act 2003, under which every premises must be judged on their own merit.
“The introduction of blanket powers for councils is a worrying shift away from this principle.
“It is even more concerning that these powers could be made into law without sufficient consultation with the trade.”
As alcohol licensing was not in the original scope of the Bill, the Commons will debate a motion on Wednesday afternoon as to whether this amendment can be sent to Public Bill committee.
If passed, the committee will then consider the content of the amendment in the course of their proceedings with the Bill.
Government has confirmed that a 12-week consultation will take place with the trade on the regulations after the legislation is finalised.
Source: ACS
