Pub licensing laws relaxed in the North from Friday

From Friday, October 1, the first substantial changes to licensing laws in the North in 25 years will come into effect, removing Easter drinking restrictions, ending regular Sunday restrictions and extending serving hours and drinking-up times.

As we approach the festive season, the hospitality sector should benefit from the changes which will allow large pubs and clubs to open until 2am 104 nights a year and smaller pubs able to open to 1am 104 nights a year, with an hour drinking-up time. 

The remainder of changes contained in the relevant legislation which was brought through the Assembly earlier this year, will commence in phases over the next few years.

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has said, “I was pleased to be able to deliver this new legislation.  The next step is to ensure it is successfully brought in to operation. From October 1, the first changes of the major reforms I have delivered will become a reality.

“This first phase will see restrictions on Easter opening being lifted meaning Easter weekend next year will be the same as any other weekend throughout the year.

“It includes pub and hotel licence holders being able to apply for later opening, providing them with more flexibility, particularly in the lead up to Christmas and the New Year.

“It will also see drinking-up time increased from 30 minutes to one hour which will support a more gradual dispersal of people from licensed premises.”

The Minister continued, “My Department will continue to engage with stakeholders to bring the remaining provisions of this reform into operation.  Most of the remaining provisions will come in to effect in April 2022 with some others requiring a slightly longer period.”