Guidance on off-sales and compliance with restriction regulations produced by a coalition of experts including the Institute of Licensing.

The aim of the guidance, covering both England and Wales, is to reduce risk for licensed premises operating during the current pandemic, ensure the safety of the public, premises staff and officers and provide clarity for all involved.

The context
The relaxation of some lockdown measures have seen businesses severely impacted having to adapt quickly to this new world to ensure the reactivation of their businesses can meet the new challenges and laws. The Police and Local Authority are responsible for ensuring compliance and likewise face new challenges and as lockdown is further relaxed no doubt more questions will arise.

One particular concern over the past few weeks has been groups gathering outside or close to premises that are offering off sales and, in some cases ignoring social distancing guidelines or engaging in anti-social behaviour requiring police involvement.

The guidance
This guidance provides practical guidance and a comprehensive list of FAQs for the trade and licensing authorities to assist with navigating the off sales legalities.

Download the Note on off-sales

This information, questions and answers  in this note has been developed by a cross sector group looking to reduce risk for licensed premises operating during the current pandemic and so ensure the safety of the public, premises staff and officers and provide clarity for all involved.

• Jim Cathcart (UK Hospitality)
• Ian Graham (National Police Chiefs Council, Licensing Advisory Group)
• Rebecca Johnson (Local Government Association)
• John Miley (National Association of Licensing Enforcement Officers)
• Clare Eames (Poppleston Allen)
• Leo Charalambides (Kings Chambers)
• David Lucas (Institute of Licensing)

The above group is part of the NEXSTART coalition.

About NEXSTART

NEXSTART is the National Exit Strategy Advice and Response Team for the licensed hospitality and entertainment industry, it is a coalition of experts with the following aims and objectives:

• working together to identify issues, work to find solutions, contribute to guidance, and act as a resource to support a national strategy for the safe and successful exit of this industry from lockdown, and
• to balance the needs of the public, businesses, and enforcement authorities.

NEXSTART Participants include:

• Association of Conservative Clubs
• Association of Independent Festivals
• Association of Leading Visitor Attractions
• Association of Town & City Management
• BEIS Expert Licensing Group
• Best Bar None
• British Beer and Pub Association
• British Institute of Innkeeping
• CAMRA
• Committee of Registered Clubs Associations (CORCA)
• Culture Central West Midlands
• Featured Artists Coalition
• Gambling Business Group
• Greater London Authority
• Institute of Acoustics
• Institute of Licensing
• Local Government Association
• London Councils
• Manchester Night Time Economy Adviser
• Music Venue Trust
• NALEO
• National Outdoor Events Association
• National Police Chiefs Council
• Night Time Industries Association
• Production Services Association
• Pub is the Hub
• Safer Business Network ( Business Crime Reduction Partnership)
• Safer Sounds Partnership
• Society of Independent Brewers
• The Tourism Alliance
• UKHospitality
• UKMusic
• Visit England /Visit Britain