Business

Fresh support for licensing law reform ahead of The Open

The Open takes place at Royal Portrush from July 18 to 21.
The Open takes place at Royal Portrush from July 18 to 21. The Open takes place at Royal Portrush from July 18 to 21.

SOME of the leading tourism and hospitality bodies in the north have backed calls for wider liquor licensing reform ahead of The Open.

The Institute of Hospitality (IoH) and the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance (NITA) have joined the campaign led by Hospitality Ulster

for urgent reform of liquor licensing due to the reported negative impact it is having on the local tourism and hospitality sectors.

The group, which also includes Manufacturing NI, Northern Ireland Food and Drink and Retail NI, believes the suggested 'Special Events' licensing changes from the Department for Communities do not go far enough and would not benefit Northern Ireland’s local producers, distilleries and breweries.

Marianne Hood, chair of the Institute of Hospitality in Northern Ireland believes the current licensing laws are a source of frustration.

“As a key stakeholder in the Northern Ireland hospitality industry we are frustrated and disappointed at the lack of progress to update our licensing legislation to make it fit for a 2019 market place," she said.

“We believe the current proposals contained in the recent consultation by the Department for Communities do not address any of the issues faced by the hospitality businesses, our tourism offer, food producers, craft brewers, cider makers and distillers who contribute so much to the tourism experience.”

Joanne Stuart, chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance said there is a "clear need" for licensing legislation to be updated.

“Northern Ireland’s licensing legislation is outdated and out of step with the rest of the UK," she said.

“We believe that the ‘Special Event’ legislation, which is currently being reviewed as a result of The Open being held in Portrush this year, provides an opportunity to introduce a broader licensing bill that addresses all of the outstanding issues on liquor licensing that are negatively impacting our tourism offer and not just address the single item of Special Events.”

Colin Neill, chief executive of Hospitality Ulster added:

“It is very clear to us and the group that once The Open packs up, the hospitality sector will be left to operate with the same antiquated laws that it has struggled with for years.

“As far as we all can see, no legacy will be left behind, but rather we will be enabling a big company to make a fast buck.

“It’s time that an ounce of sense was brought to the debate with proper wide-ranging changes to the legislation to sort out our licensing laws.”