Edinburgh Licensing Board - consultation on Statement of Licensing Policy

Overview

Edinburgh Licensing Board requires to consult on the terms of its Statement of Licensing Policy. The Board has agreed to begin with an informal consultation on the current policy, and encourages responses on all parts of the policy. 

Some consideration has already been given to the following topics:

• Children and Young Persons’ access to licensed premises
• Use of outdoor drinking areas
• Licensing of “pop-up” bars
• Extended use of Occasional Licences
• Overprovision
• Use of Extended Hours for events

The Board is keen however to encourage as broad a range of responses as possible.

Why your views matter

The Edinburgh Licensing Board sits separately from the Council, and is the licensing authority for premises selling alcohol in its geographical area. The Board must agree a Statement of Licensing Policy which sets out how it will consider applications for licensed premises in its area, and all associated matters. A new policy must agreed and published in late 2018, and the Board must consult before agreeing its terms. 

This is your opportunity to contribute to the new policy, and the Board is keen to receive a wide range of responses. The results of the initial, informal consultation will be considered as part of a more detailed, formal consultation process in early 2018.

The current policy, also available on the Board’s website, sets out in detail the various matters the Board has regard to when considering liquor licensing in its area. Depending on responses received, the Board will consider holding evidence sessions on specific policy topics in 2018, before consulting on the terms of a new draft policy in mid-2018.

What happens next

The Board will consider all of the responses provided as part of the consultation.  The Board will then carry out a more detailed consultation on the terms of a new draft Statement of Licensing Policy, having taken account of the initial consultation.

Depending on responses received, the Board will consider holding evidence sessions on specific policy topics in 2018, before consulting on the terms of a new draft policy in mid-2018.