The Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996

Consent required for certain alterations to premises N.I.

31.—(1) An alteration shall not be made to premises for which a licence is in force if the alteration—

(a) gives increased facilities for drinking in a public or common part of the premises; or

(b) adds to the premises a public or common part in which intoxicating liquor is sold, or substitutes one such part for another; or

(c) conceals from observation a public or common part of the premises in which intoxicating liquor is sold; or

(d) affects the means of passage between the public part of the premises where intoxicating liquor is sold and the remainder of the premises or any road or other public place,

unless either—

(i) an application under this Article has been made by the holder of the licence to a county court and the court has made an order consenting to the alteration; or

(ii) the alteration is required by order of some lawful authority and, before the alteration is made, notice of the requirement is served by the holder of the licence on the clerk of petty sessions F1 ....

(2) The procedure for applications under paragraph (1)(i) is set out in Part I of Schedule 8, and Part II of that Schedule shall have effect in relation to notices under paragraph (1)(ii).

(3) If any alteration such as is mentioned in paragraph (1) is made to premises otherwise than in accordance with an order of the county court or an order of some lawful authority, a court of summary jurisdiction may order the holder of the licence to restore, as far as is practicable, the premises to their original condition within a period fixed by the order.

(4) The period fixed by an order under paragraph (3) may be extended by order of a court of summary jurisdiction on the application of the holder of the licence.

(5) If paragraph (1)(ii) is not complied with, the holder of the licence shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale.

(6) If the holder of the licence makes default in complying with an order under paragraph (3), he shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.

F1 Words in art. 31(1)(d)(ii) repealed (31.10.2016) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 9), s. 106(2), Sch. 1 para. 110(6), Sch. 9 Pt. 1 (with Sch. 8 para. 1); S.R. 2016/387, art. 2(k)(m) (with art. 3)