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The Government has announced it is set to launch a new working group on how to reduce barriers in the licensing system.
The group will report in six weeks, with solutions to improve the licensing system, cut red tape and boost hospitality’s competitiveness.
UKHospitality, which sits on the group, will play a leading role in developing solutions to improve the licensing system.
Alongside this, the Mayor of London will also be given new powers to review blocked licensing applications. This delivers on a recommendation put forward by London’s Night Time Commission, chaired by UKHospitality’s Kate Nicholls, to boost the capital’s nightlife.
UKH has praised this move saying that cutting red tape and improving hospitality’s competitiveness is much-needed. The trade body also hopes that the powers given to Sadiq Khan will be rolled out across the country.
Kate Nicholls, UKH CEO said: “A new and improved licensing system that is fit for the 21st century will be a huge boost to the nation’s pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels, and I’m delighted that this expert group will be leading the review and finding solutions that can unlock the high street’s potential.
“This is an approach that can be rolled out across the country. We have long-maintained that there are aspects of the licensing system that are too restrictive and aren’t flexible enough to adapt to an ever-changing sector.
She added: “Too often, we hear from businesses that are encountering barriers to growth at a local authority level. Not only do structural elements of the system need to change, but so do approaches to licensing in particularly restrictive areas. As our Social Productivity Index shows, foundational sectors like hospitality have the ability to deliver both economically and socially productive growth, equitably across the country.
“That’s not the case for many of the sectors prioritised by the Industrial Strategy, and I hope this work opens the Government’s eyes as to why its strategy should be broadened to include hospitality.”
