“We’ve got a 24-hour licence” is one of the most misunderstood phrases in hospitality. Licensing hours in England and Wales are whatever each premises asked for and was granted — there are no standard closing times anymore, no statutory drinking-up time, and no automatic extensions. Here’s how hours actually work.
The basics since 2005
- The Licensing Act 2003 abolished ‘permitted hours’. Each premises licence states its own hours for each licensable activity, each day.
- 24-hour licences exist (many supermarkets hold them) but are rare for bars — councils grant what the operating schedule justifies.
- Your opening hours and your alcohol sale hours are separate lines on the licence: plenty of premises open earlier and close later than they can sell alcohol.
Drinking-up time: the myth that won’t die
There is no statutory 20 minutes anymore. If your licence says alcohol sales end at 23:00, sales must stop then — but customers can finish drinks after, unless your licence has a specific condition about closing or dispersal. Many licences deliberately state opening hours 30 minutes beyond sale hours to create formal drinking-up time. Check yours; don’t rely on folklore.
Extending your hours
Permanently — a full variation
Any extension of alcohol hours needs a major variation: 28-day consultation, newspaper notice, and it’s the single most objected-to application type. Evidence (dispersal plans, SIA cover, sound reports) wins these.
Occasionally — TENs
For one-off late nights (New Year aside — see below), a Temporary Event Notice extends your hours for a specific event, within the annual limits.
New Year’s Eve
A standing exception: licensing hours on New Year’s Eve extend automatically to the start of your NYD hours — for most premises, that means trading through midnight without any application.
When hours shrink: reviews and conditions
Residents or police unhappy with a venue don’t have to wait for renewal (there isn’t one) — they seek a review, where the committee can cut hours, add conditions, suspend or revoke. Late hours are kept by running a tight ship, not by grandfather rights.
Frequently asked questions
Can we serve breakfast beers at 8am?
If your licence’s alcohol hours start at 08:00, yes. Many high-street licences start at 10:00 — check before the rugby crowd arrives.
Do our hours apply to the beer garden?
The licence covers the premises as shown on the plan. Gardens are usually included, but conditions often end garden service earlier — a classic review outcome after noise complaints.
Is ‘lock-in’ after hours legal if drinks were bought before close?
Consumption after sale hours is not itself an offence (absent conditions), but staff re-filling glasses is unlawful sale, and a habitual lock-in culture is exactly what triggers reviews. Genuine private parties where no alcohol is sold are different territory.
Want later hours? We prepare hour-extension variations with the evidence pack that wins them — get a quote.
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