The Statement of Licensing Policy sets out how Liverpool City Council approaches decisions about licensed premises and activities across the city. It is intended to provide a consistent framework for applicants, licence holders, residents, businesses and organisations involved in the licensing process.  

The policy supports four statutory licensing objectives: 

• The prevention of crime and disorder
• Public safety
• The prevention of public nuisance
• The protection of children from harm

Full Council approved the Statement of Licensing Policy 2026–2031 on 30 September 2026. It subsequently requested further consultation on the part of the policy dealing with terminal hours for premises that sell alcohol for consumption on the premises, together with a further review of how licensing and planning policy can be more closely aligned.  

No final decision has been made on the proposals covered by this consultation. Responses will be analysed and used to inform recommendations to Full Council.

In this consultation, a terminal hour means the time by which a premises would normally be expected to stop serving alcohol for consumption on the premises. 

It does not necessarily determine the time at which the venue must close.

The proposed approach has three main elements: 

Established night-time economy areas

The council may allow greater flexibility over terminal hours in five established night-time economy areas: 

• Concert Square and Wolstenholme Square, including Slater Street, Wood Street and Seel Street 
• Mathew Street and the Cavern Quarter 
• Victoria Street and Stanley Street 
• the Jamaica Street and Greenland Street junction and the area around Stanhope Street, east of Grafton Street  
• Fabric District ( London Road area ) 

The rest of the city centre 

For new licence applications elsewhere within the city centre boundary, the proposed guiding principle is that venues should normally stop serving alcohol for consumption on the premises by midnight. This recognises the changing use of areas including Castle Street, Dale Street and Bold Street, where more residential development is taking place or planned.  

Outside the city centre 

For new licence applications outside the city centre boundary, the proposed guiding principle is that venues should normally stop serving alcohol for consumption on the premises by 11pm. The intention is to help limit disturbance to local residents.  

No. Existing premises licences will not be affected by these proposals or this consultation. Their licensing hours will remain unchanged unless in the future they apply to vary the hours of their premises licence. 

These proposals will only apply to new applications and any application to vary the hours of on sales. 

No. The proposed times would be guiding principles rather than automatic cut-off points. 

An application would not automatically be approved because its proposed hours fall within the suggested times. Equally, an application would not necessarily be refused because it requests earlier or later hours. Each application would continue to be considered on its individual merits, including its location, circumstances, potential effects and the four licensing objectives.

No. The midnight proposal relates to the usual time for serving alcohol for consumption on the premises under new licence applications in parts of the city centre outside the five established night-time economy areas. 

It does not necessarily determine the venue’s closing time, and individual applications would continue to be considered on their merits.

No. The proposed 11pm guiding principle concerns the time for serving alcohol for consumption on the premises under new licence applications outside the city centre boundary. 

It would not automatically determine a venue’s closing time or prevent an applicant from requesting different hours.

Different parts of Liverpool have different roles, characteristics and patterns of use. Some areas have an established concentration of late-night venues, while other parts of the city centre and Liverpool’s neighbourhoods include, or are expected to include, more homes. 

The proposed approach is intended to support Liverpool’s evening and night-time economy while considering potential effects on residents, businesses, public safety and neighbourhood quality of life.

The stated aim is to strike a balance. The council recognises the importance of licensed premises, hospitality, cultural activity and events to Liverpool’s economy and employment.  

The consultation is seeking views on how the city can support a thriving evening and night-time economy while addressing potential late-night noise, disturbance, crime, disorder and public nuisance.  

Licensing and planning are separate regulatory systems, but national guidance says they should work in harmony. 

The emerging Local Plan takes account of the different character, role and function of areas across Liverpool. The proposed changes are intended to bring the licensing approach more closely into line with that framework and provide greater clarity for residents, businesses, applicants and investors.  

An applicant may still need both planning consent and a premises licence. Approval under one process does not automatically mean approval under the other. 

This consultation is focused particularly on terminal hours for premises selling alcohol for consumption on the premises.  

The approved 2026–2031 policy already includes separate provisions relating to premises selling alcohol for consumption off the premises. The project team should confirm whether any questions about off-licences will form part of this further consultation. The earlier policy process included a proposed framework for new off-licence applications, with trading ending at midnight.  (Off sales are not part of the consultation so no questions should be asked, consultation took place in Feb/March this year on off sales) 

Yes. The consultation survey allows respondents to identify whether they are responding as an individual or on behalf of a business, licensed premises, community organisation or another body. Organisations can also provide a formal written response.  

Yes. Respondents can identify all parts of the city that are relevant to their response, including places where they live, work, run a business, visit or represent other people.  

The questions help the council understand whether it has heard from a broad range of Liverpool’s communities and whether views or experiences differ between groups. 

Respondents do not have to answer questions they are uncomfortable with and can select “prefer not to say”.