East Lothian Licensing Board Consultation - Review of Existing Policy

Overview

The East Lothian Licensing Board is starting the process of preparing its new Statement of Licensing Policy.  The policy sets out in detail how the Board considers applications for the licensing of the sale of alcohol and manages premises in the Board’s area. The policy also details the expectations the Board has of licence holders in operating their premises.       

The Board has to prepare a new policy every five years and must ensure the policy promotes the licensing objectives of:-

• Preventing crime and disorder
• Securing public safety
• Preventing public nuisance
• Protecting and improving public health
• Protecting children and young persons from harm

The policy is a wide-ranging document, and the Board welcomes as broad a range of responses as possible.  

In addition, the Board is interested to hear views on the following specific topics:-

• Current licensing hours
• Extension of licensed hours
• Children and young persons’ access
• Temporary licensing (occasional licences)
• Overprovision
• Outside Areas
• Deliveries

Why your views matter

The Licensing Board sits separately from East Lothian Council.  The Board is the licensing authority for premises selling alcohol in its geographical area, including supermarkets, convenience stores, hotels, pubs and restaurants.  The Board’s Statement of Licensing Policy sets out how it will consider applications for new licensed premises, changes to existing premises in its area, and how it expects premises to be operated.  The Board must agree and publish its new policy by November 2023. A full consultation must take place before agreeing the terms of its new policy. 

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 this consultation on the existing policy will help to shape the new policy, a consultation on the proposed new policy will take place early 2023.

Please give us your views on the existing policy.  

What happens next

Thank you for your comments and views which will be considered by the East Lothian Licensing Board and used to shape the formal consultation to be completed early 2023.