An Act to improve industry standards and prevent crime in alcohol licensing and public entertainments has been granted Royal Assent.

The Liquor Licensing and Public Entertainments Act 2021 is an ’enabling’ Act which provides the basis for a modern and adaptable licensing regime in the island which is ’safe, sustainable’ and allows the licensed hospitality sector to ’flourish’.

It represents the first major reform in 25 years of alcohol licensing and music, dancing and other public entertainments.

The government previously described the ’landmark’ proposals, which won public support following two consultations, as aiming to improve industry standards, while preventing crime and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the public.

The next step to practical reform is a consultation with the hospitality industry and those who use it or are affected by it.

Feedback from this will shape the secondary legislation which are the regulations which define how a new licensing regime can operate in practice and the safety measures and standards expected of all involved.

A few sections of the Act will come into force immediately.

One of these prevents certain restrictive covenants being placed on licensed premises, which until now have allowed their owners to limit the way premises can be used after they’re sold. The same section relates to restrictive agreements around the supply of beer to licensed premises.

Also, the session of the Licensing Court for both alcohol licences and music and dancing licences will be postponed to 2023 while annual fees relating to licences that sit within the current session are waived.

Minister for Justice and Home Affairs Jane Poole-Wilson said: ’The Department is delighted that Royal Assent has now been received for the Liquor Licensing and Public Entertainment Act 2021.

’We look forward to building a regime which fosters a vibrant, responsible and responsive licenced hospitality industry, one which offers opportunities for existing traders, start-up businesses, customers, community groups and the wider public.

’This Act commits the Department to consultation with those who will be affected by changes to the licensing regime, and there is still much work to be done before the new regime begins in just under a year’s time, on November 1, 2022.

’The Department has welcomed the input of the Licensing Forum and its commitment to future partnership working.’

Tynwald members have also approved an Order extending the Occasional Licence period in connection with TT 2022 by two days.

The Order means that outlets which successfully obtain an Occasional Licence for this period will be able to serve locals and visitors during the TT festival from the weekend before practice week until the weekend at the end of race week, a period of 16 days rather than the standard 14.

The expanded timeframe aimed to increase the public’s enjoyment of TT hospitality and entertainment opportunities over a slightly longer period, and the change was agreed with licensee representatives.

The granting of 16-day Occasional Licences for the TT 2022 period is to be a trial, and feedback from businesses and the public will be gathered afterwards by the Department and shared with the public.