Licensing Law Reform Update

The Government’s Response to Licensing Taskforce Report was published 14 September 2025.  In it, the UK government has formally responded to the Licensing Taskforce’s recommendations, signaling a significant shift in licensing law aimed at revitalizing the hospitality and leisure sectors.

Key Themes and Planned Reforms:

• Pro-growth vision: The government is committed to creating a more modern, proportionate, and enabling licensing system.
• Reducing red tape: Businesses have long complained about excessive bureaucracy. The reforms aim to simplify and streamline licensing processes.
• Balancing safety and flexibility: There’s concern about the rise in alcohol consumption in unregulated spaces. The reforms will seek to support regulated venues like pubs and nightclubs while maintaining public safety.
• Stakeholder consultation: Before implementing changes, the government will consult widely to ensure reforms are fair and effective.

These reforms are still in the planning phase, but the Government has expressed urgency in exploring and implementing them to support economic growth and community wellbeing, and are designed to make the licensing system more pro-growth, flexible, and responsive to the needs of modern hospitality and leisure businesses.

Here’s a summary of the key recommendations from the UK Government’s response to the Licensing Taskforce report: 

Government Commitments and Planned Actions

The government broadly supports the Taskforce’s ten priority recommendations and outlines the following commitments:

1. National Licensing Policy Framework

Will explore creating a unified framework to guide local licensing authorities with the aim to improve consistency and reduce confusion across regions.

2. Licence Amnesty

Supports a one-off amnesty to remove outdated or irrelevant conditions from existing licences and will consult stakeholders to ensure fairness and clarity.

3. Pavement Licensing Reform

Plans to extend the duration of pavement licences to reduce administrative burden, and will align with broader hospitality support measures.

4. Temporary Event Notices (TENs)

Will review current limits and consider increasing the number of TENs allowed per premises, and seek to boost flexibility for small-scale events.

5. Agent of Change Principle

Strong support for strengthening protections for existing venues from new developments, and will work with planning authorities to embed this principle more effectively.

6. Night-Time Economy Zones

Encourages local authorities to designate zones that support nightlife and hospitality, and will provide guidance and best practice models.

7. Digital Modernisation

Commits to improving the GOV.UK licensing portal and reducing duplication across regimes, and will invest in digital infrastructure to streamline applications.

8. Empowering Licensing Officers

Supports giving licensing officers greater influence in decision-making, and will explore legislative changes to formalise their role.

9. Reinstatement Period for Lapsed Licences

Will consider extending the current 28-day reinstatement window, with the aim to support businesses facing temporary closure or disruption.

10. Statutory Notice Requirements

Will review the need for printed notices and explore digital alternatives, which is part of a broader Local Media Strategy to modernise communications.