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Advice to Alcohol Licensed Premises ahead of Proposed re-opening of outdoor areas

Outdoor hospitality is able to reopen in Wales from Monday, 26th April. The requirements have not yet been confirmed by the Welsh Government, but they are likely to differ from previous outdoor drinking requirements.

If a premises licence allows on sales only, the Business and Planning Act 2020 has relaxed the law to allow temporary off sales until 30th September 2021.  In addition, you are permitted to supply alcohol in open containers and deliver alcohol to another address.  However, there are some exceptions so if in any doubt please check with our Licensing Team who will be happy to offer advice.

The relaxation does not apply to premises issued with a club premises certificate, therefore, if you only have on sales and no outside area included as part of your certificate, you may not be able to provide alcohol for outdoor consumption. Again, please check with our Licensing Team.

For further details on the relaxations go to:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-temporary-alcohol-licensing-provisions-in-the-business-and-planning-bill/alcohol-licensing-guidance-on-new-temporary-off-sales-permissions

To comply with outdoor space requirements, any premises planning to use marquees or outdoor structures should ensure that these are at least 50% open when in use.

If you are unsure as to whether your premises can legitimately re-open from the 26th April you can contact the licensing team at licensing@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk for further advice.

In particular, Club Premises which hold Club Premises Certificates (CPC’s), should contact the Licensing Team to confirm if they will be able open on this date or will have to wait for indoor re-opening.