National Licensing Week celebrates the vital role licensing plays in keeping people safe across UK hospitality and leisure — raising awareness, showcasing best practice and highlighting why licensing matters.
Almost every activity in the leisure sector – and most of those that supports the sector – requires a licence or some other licensing authorisation.
Most people will not think twice about their contact with licensing regulation every day of their lives, but it plays a vital role to protect people and animals – which is something most people do not recognise until things go wrong.
The UK’s nighttime economy has played an important role in the cultural life of most people in the UK and continues to do so both in local communities and on the national stage. Almost every aspect of the UK’s nighttime economy touches on licensing to some degree, whether it be alcohol, entertainment, levies, EMROs, regulating the distribution of promotional material, closure powers or sexual entertainment.
Licensing essentially exists to regulate business activity in order to protect people. From small independent businesses such as taxi drivers and home boarding establishments to large multinational businesses such as those affected by primary authority partnerships, there is a golden thread of licensing regulation intertwined in all of it. In fact, there are very few business sectors where licensing regulation is not a relevant factor.
NLW represents an opportunity for everyone involved in licensing to promote Licensing. NLW is seen by the IoL as a chance to raise awareness across the country and are encouraging as much engagement as possible again this year. More and more businesses and organisations are using National Licensing Week to showcase what they do as an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of licensing and all the participants.
The underlying message of the initiative is that “licensing is everywhere” with daily themes to demonstrate how licensing effects our daily lives.
Licensing is shown as part of everyday life through five themed posters covering partnerships, tourism, home, night‑time and business.
Bitesize videos offer quick, engaging clips for each of the five NLW days that can be watched and downloaded from the NLW website.
Use your own social media accounts and channels to promote licensing where you are.
Use our bitesize videos to enhance your own social media content.
Use hashtag #NLW with the current year (i.e. #NLW2026 for 2026)
Tag NLW in your social media.
@licensingweek (We will reshare your content!)
