Consultation and engagement

Consultation on the draft Licensing Policy

Start date: Friday 6th February 2026
End date: Friday 20th March 2026

What are we consulting on?

We have prepared a draft Licensing Act Policy Statement for 2026 to 2031, in accordance with the statutory requirement to publish a new statement every five years.

The draft statement is the same as the current statement, except for the following amendments to be consulted on.

Amendments

Introduction

  • Refreshed text emphasising the linkages between the Policy Statement and other council strategies.
  • Page 5-6 Tackling alcohol related issues.

Section 3.3

  • References to awareness training in respect “spiking” and sexual harassment, such as “Ask for Angela” initiative.

Section 3.20

  • Support of “Ask for Angela” and “Ask for Clive” initiatives
  • Reference to the prospective statutory duties to come into force in 2027 under Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (more commonly known as “Martyn’s Law”)

Section 3.24

  • Reference to enforcement actions concerning illegal tobacco and vapes found on licensed premises.

Section 3.25

  • Reference to the Agent of Change principle

Section 3.41

  • Reference to online sales of alcohol

Section 5.5.4

  • Guiding principles of opening and closing times for licensed premises with off sales.  

Section 10.3

  • Enhanced references to Cumulative Impact Assessments

Section 13.4

  • Express reference to duty upon Personal Licence Holders to notify their licensing authority when convicted of a relevant offence

Section 15

  • Reference to measures to detect “spiking”

You can download the full policy statement below. Please note that amendments in the document are highlighted in yellow.

How to comment

If you wish to comment on the draft policy and the above amendments, please email LicensingAct2003@liverpool.gov.uk 

Alternatively, send your comments in writing to Licensing and Public Protection Service, Liverpool City Council, Cunard Buildings, Water Street, Liverpool, L3 1AH

All comments must be received by Friday 20th March 2026.

What happens to my views?

Any comments you make will be duly considered by the Licensing and Gambling Committee and full council prior to the formal approval of the document for publication. Responses will only be shared within the licensing service and with the committee and council. A record of the replies will be kept for the duration of the policy statement (3 years) before being destroyed.

Individual responses will be anonymised so an individual cannot be identified from their comments. However, responses from an organisation will be published in full in the reports to committee and council.

What happens next?

Once the consultation period has ended, any responses received will be summarised and reported back to Liverpool City Council's Licensing and Gambling Committee and full council for them to consider.

Further information

For further information about this consultation email LicensingAct2003@liverpool.gov.uk