Pubs and bars across England and Wales could soon be raising a glass to longer opening hours and fewer bureaucratic hurdles, as the UK government embarks on a sweeping review of what it calls "outdated" licensing rules. Announced on October 9, 2025, the fast-track review aims to modernize regulations that have, for years, made it more difficult for hospitality venues to serve food outdoors, host live music, or even stay open later—often at the cost of community vibrancy and economic growth.
The government’s plan, which forms a key part of its broader 'Plan for Change' to support small businesses and reinvigorate high streets, centers on a four-week call for evidence. This consultation, open until November 6, 2025, invites pub landlords, local communities, business operators, and even regular punters to share their views on how the current system is working—or, more often, not working—for them.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, in rolling out the review, was clear about his motivations. "Pubs and bars are the beating heart of our communities. We’re backing them to thrive," he stated, as reported by BBC and echoed by multiple outlets. "This review is about cutting red tape, boosting footfall, and making it easier for venues to put on the kind of events that bring people together. When our locals do well, our economy does too."
But what exactly is on the table? The government’s Licensing Taskforce, which has been working behind the scenes to craft recommendations, has identified nine (or, in some summaries, ten) priority reforms. These include introducing a National Licensing Policy Framework to create consistent standards, granting a one-time licensing condition amnesty to sweep away outdated requirements, and streamlining hearings and appeals to make the process less adversarial and more efficient. There’s also a push to scrap the requirement for hard-copy newspaper advertisements when applying for or amending a license—a rule many see as an unnecessary relic in the digital age.
Another notable proposal is to permanently increase the number of Temporary Event Notices a venue can apply for, making it easier to host special events like quiz nights, live gigs, or food festivals. Simplifying the process for trading in outdoor spaces—think pop-up food stalls and beer gardens—also features prominently. There’s even talk of a "sunset clause" on restrictive local hours policies, meaning overly strict rules could automatically lapse unless actively renewed.
Nick Mackenzie, co-chair of the Licensing Taskforce and CEO at pub giant Greene King, described the reforms as "a vital step towards reducing the red-tape that has stifled businesses for too long." In his words, "Pubs are faced with continued rising costs, placing them under enormous pressures which is why the Government must continue to back the sector, including critical reforms on business rates which would unlock opportunities for pubs to invest and help drive economic growth."
That sentiment was echoed by Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, who told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, "This is not about trading later, this is not about 24-hour licensing and drinking, this is about making sure that we can respond to consumer demands, and that we can offer freedom and flexibility at a low enough cost." She added, "Moving to a new and improved licensing system that works for modern hospitality businesses is critical, and I’m pleased the Government is acting swiftly on the recommendations of the Licensing Taskforce."
Yet, the government’s optimism is not universally shared. Critics have raised concerns that relaxing alcohol licensing could open the door to more antisocial behavior and alcohol-related harm. Richard Piper, chief executive of the charity Alcohol Change UK, warned in The Guardian that the proposed reforms could be a "charter for chaos" without proper support from local authorities and health experts. He cautioned, "Permitting vendors to sell alcohol later into the evening would inevitably mean more victims of crime, including domestic violence, more antisocial behaviour and disturbance, more police time spent dealing with drink-fuelled incidents and both ambulance and A&E staff having to deal with even more people who have come to harm as a result of alcohol."
For many landlords and customers, however, the issue isn’t just about opening hours or entertainment. Rising costs—including business rates, energy bills, and staffing—remain the most pressing concern. Mark Costello, who runs a brewery and tap room in Leeds, told the BBC, "It doesn't matter how long we're allowed to stay open; it costs a huge amount to stay open so what we need is the customers to fill the place, and they don't have the money to go out like they used to."
Jay Ashton, owner of two micropubs in Huddersfield, described dealing with local councils as "a bureaucratic mountain" and called them "barriers to growth." Meanwhile, some residents, like Andy in Heathfield, East Sussex, worry that longer hours and more live music could "destroy the village" and make "everyone's lives a misery." David from Cambridge, a pub-goer for 55 years, added that the real problem is the squeeze on disposable income and the mounting cost of doing business, not the licensing rules themselves.
It’s a complex picture, and the stakes are high. According to the British Beer and Pub Association, the number of pubs in the UK has been steadily declining for the past 25 years. The association estimates that 378 pubs are set to close in 2025 across England, Wales, and Scotland, resulting in more than 5,600 direct job losses. For many, the government’s review feels like a last-ditch effort to turn the tide.
Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle underscored the government’s balancing act: "As part of our Plan for Change, this review will help us cut through the red tape that has held back our brilliant hospitality sector, giving them the freedom to flourish while keeping communities safe. That is the balance we’re trying to strike. We’re determined to back small businesses and bring the buzz back to our high streets."
The call for evidence also builds on the government’s commitment to cut regulatory burdens by 25% by the end of this Parliament, following the landmark Small Business Plan announced in July. The review’s focus on modernizing a licensing regime that’s now over 20 years old is seen as crucial for unlocking new opportunities, encouraging investment, and, just maybe, saving some much-loved local institutions from closure.
But as UKHospitality’s Kate Nicholls stressed, reform alone won’t be a "silver bullet" for the existential cost challenges facing the sector. She’s called for further support in the upcoming Budget, including business rates reform, lower VAT, and fixes to national insurance costs to ease the pressure on venues.
As the four-week consultation unfolds, the voices of landlords, operators, customers, and communities will shape the future of British hospitality. Whether the reforms will be enough to rescue struggling pubs or simply provide a temporary reprieve remains to be seen. For now, the government’s message is clear: it’s time to raise a toast to change, and everyone’s invited to have their say.
