Licensing Act 2003 (c. 17)

Part 9 E+W Miscellaneous and supplementary

Valid from 24/11/2005

Special occasions E+W

172 Relaxation of opening hours for special occasions E+W

(1) Where the Secretary of State considers that a period (“the celebration period”) marks an occasion of exceptional international, national, or local significance, he may make a licensing hours order.

(2) A licensing hours order is an order which provides that during the specified relaxation period premises licences and club premises certificates have effect (to the extent that it is not already the case) as if specified times were included in the opening hours.

(3) An order under this section may—

(a) make provision generally or only in relation to premises in one or more specified areas;

(b) make different provision in respect of different days during the specified relaxation period;

(c) make different provision in respect of different licensable activities.

(4) Before making an order under this section, the Secretary of State must consult such persons as he considers appropriate.

(5) In this section—

• “opening hours” means—

  (a)

  in relation to a premises licence, the times during which the premises may be used for licensable activities in accordance with the licence, and

  (b)

  in relation to a club premises certificate, the times during which the premises may be used for qualifying club activities in accordance with the certificate;

• “relaxation period” means—

  (a)

  if the celebration period does not exceed four days, that period, or

  (b)

  any part of that period not exceeding four days; and

• “specified”, in relation to a licensing hours order, means specified in the order.