Keir Starmer pledges to reduce bureaucratic obstacles for struggling pubs, aiming to facilitate live music events and food pop-ups.
The Prime Minister expressed support for pubs and bars to flourish by initiating a four-week rapid review to overhaul outdated licensing regulations.
Current restrictions have hindered pubs from offering outdoor dining, hosting live music, and even staying open due to noise complaints, according to No10. Reports suggest that venues might have the opportunity to extend their opening hours to enhance the nightlife experience.
Mr. Starmer emphasized the significance of pubs and bars in local communities and pledged support for their prosperity under the Plan for Change initiative.
The review aims to streamline regulations, increase foot traffic, and enable venues to organize events that bring people together to boost the local economy.
The British Beer and Pub Association forecasted the closure of 378 pubs in 2025 across England, Wales, and Scotland, in addition to the 350 closures from the previous year.
The Mirror campaign “Your Pub Needs You” advocates for a government fund to support pubs, acknowledgment of bars contributing significantly to their communities, and assistance for groups seeking to purchase their local establishments.
Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle highlighted the review’s objective to cut unnecessary red tape hindering the hospitality sector’s growth while ensuring community safety and economic vitality.
Following recommendations from the Government’s licensing taskforce, the call for evidence includes proposals to simplify licensing procedures, such as eliminating the requirement for hard-copy local newspaper advertising when modifying licenses.
The taskforce also proposed an increase in the number of temporary event notices that landlords can request and simpler regulations for outdoor trading to support the hospitality industry’s revival and rejuvenate high streets.