The meaning of an ‘ancillary’ regarding the sale/supply of alcohol

In UK alcohol licensing law, the term ‘ancillary’ means secondary or subordinate to something else.  The word derives from the Latin word, ‘ancilla’ which means ‘serving-maid’ or ‘maidservant’ which partially explains its modern application.

So when it says on a Premises Licence that the supply of alcohol is to be ancillary to the provision of a table meal, it means that the primary purpose of the service IS the meal, and the alcohol is only served as a complement to that meal, not as the main attraction.

In practical terms:

• Alcohol can be served only if the customer is also consuming a table meal. (NB Pre- and post- prandrial drinks are included e.g. brandy or port AFTER dinner etc.)
• The alcohol must be served in a part of the premises set aside for table meals.
• The sale of alcohol is not permitted independently of the meal—it’s legally tied to the meal itself.

This condition is often used in licensing to restrict alcohol consumption in venues that are not primarily pubs or bars, such as restaurants or cafés, or during specific regulatory periods (e.g. COVID-19 restrictions).

Any questions? Call The Licensing Guys on 01432 700024