Changes in how people buy alcohol are being reflected in the Council’s updated licensing policy and the Council wants to know what people and businesses think.
The Council’s licensing policy describes how the Council, as the licensing authority, intends to promote and make decisions based on the licensing objectives which are:
- Prevention of crime and disorder
- Promotion of public safety
- Prevention of nuisance
- Protection of children from harm
The policy has to be consulted on every five years, taking into consideration the latest regulations around alcohol, certain entertainment and late-night refreshment.
A decision is being signed today giving the go-ahead for the consultation to start next week. Key changes take into account the increasing number of delivery services selling alcohol – whether that’s a can of beer with a burger or a bottle of wine from an online supermarket order.
Under the updated policy it is proposed that those who offer alcohol delivery services notify the Council’s licensing team so that it can consider what conditions are appropriate. Premises with an existing premises licence who now offer a delivery service will need to contact the team for advice on whether this form of alcohol sale is permitted or if they need to apply to vary their licence.
Councillor Sally Haydon, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Libraries, Cemeteries and Crematoria said: "The pandemic led to some significant habit changes - not just in Plymouth, but everywhere. There's been a huge rise in delivery services bringing food and drink straight to people's homes and what started in the pandemic has become the norm.
"The law around the sale of alcohol needs to keep up with these changes. These laws exist to protect young people and to prevent crime and disorder and nuisance and it is only fair that we ask these services to follow the same rules that we expect pubs, clubs, restaurants and shops to follow."
Operators of an alcohol delivery service will be expected to contact the Council’s licensing department for advice. The updated guidance includes:
- All staff responsible for alcohol sales are trained in the Challenge 25 age verification policy
- Alcohol to be sold in sealed containers only
- All deliveries of alcohol delivered to a premises address with a valid postcode and only be delivered directly to that property
- Full name and address details, including postcode, must be given when placing an order
- Alcohol can only be delivered to a residential or business address and not to a public place
- Challenge 25 - if the driver considers the recipient of alcohol appears under 25, photographic ID to be asked for before any alcohol is handed over.
- Proof of age include ID with customer’s photograph, date of birth and integral holographic mark or security measure. Suitable means of identification would include PASS approved proof of age card, photo-card driving licence and passport. No ID no delivery
- Minimum age of 18 for delivery drivers
- Delivery will be refused if the driver believes alcohol is being bought on behalf of another person aged under 18 years.
The consultation starts next week and will end on 15 December 2023.