Licensing Act 1964 (repealed)

179A [F1 Closure order] E+W

(1) A senior police officer may make a closure order in relation to relevant licensed premises if he reasonably believes that—

(a) there is likely to be disorder on, or in the vicinity of and related to, the premises and the closure of the premises is necessary in the interests of public safety;

(b) there is disorder on, or in the vicinity of and related to, the premises and the closure of the premises is necessary in the interests of public safety; or

(c) a disturbance is being caused to the public by excessive noise emitted from the premises and the closure of the premises is necessary to prevent the disturbance.

(2) In this section and sections 179B to 179K of this Act—

• “closure order” means an order requiring relevant licensed premises to be closed for a period not exceeding twenty-four hours beginning with the coming into force of the order; and

• “relevant licensed premises” means licensed premises other than premises for which a justices’ off-licence only or an occasional licence is in force and other than premises in respect of which a notice under section 199(c) of this Act is in force.

(3) In determining whether to make a closure order the senior police officer shall consider, in particular, any conduct of the holder of the justices’ licence for the premises or the manager of the premises in relation to the disorder or disturbance.

(4) A closure order shall—

(a) specify the premises which are to be closed;

(b) specify the period for which the premises are to be closed;

(c) specify the grounds for the making of the order; and

(d) state the effect of sections 179B to 179E of this Act.

(5) A closure order shall come into force as soon as notice of the order is given by a constable to—

(a) the holder of the justices’ licence for the premises; or

(b) a manager of the premises.

(6) A person who, without reasonable excuse, permits relevant licensed premises to be open in contravention of a closure order or any extension of it shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to both.

Textual Amendments

F1 Ss. 179A-179K and cross-headings inserted (1.12.2001) by 2001 c. 16, s. 17; S.I. 2001/3736, art. 2