Their premises licence (or club certificate) permits the on-sale of alcohol to at least 23:00 on the day of the match;
A Home Nation (England or Scotland) is playing in the match; and
Kick-off is scheduled between the hours of 17:00 to 22:00 BST.
Crucially, the Order does not apply to the first three group-stage matches, nor where the scheduled kick-off is before 17:00 or after 22:00 (which may become a possibility). Nor is any benefit provided to premises only permitting off-sales (supermarkets; convenience stores) or late night refreshment (fast food outlets). Conversely, there is no actual requirement to screen the match, and so a typical restaurant licensed to 23:00 may take use of the extended hours without the need of a TV screen. Licence conditions will continue to apply during the extended hours.
Key points to note in relation to the tournament include:-
Group stage matches
The Order does not apply. Operators wishing to extend their usual permitted hours will need ensure a temporary event notice is in effect.
Knockout matches (round of 32; round of 16; quarter final; semifinal; third-place match)
The Order will come into effect, subject to individual premises meeting the triggering criteria, for any knock-out game involving a Home Nation, extending permitted hours:-
a) By 2 hours from 23:00 to 01:00 when kick-off is scheduled from 17:00 up to 21:00; and
b) By 3 hours from 23:00 to 02:00 when kick-off is scheduled after 21:00 up to 22:00.
Any knock-out game which is scheduled to kick-off after 22:00 falls outside the scope of the Order and operators would need ensure a temporary event notice is in effect should they wish to trade beyond their usual permitted hours.
The Final (20:00 BST; Sunday 19th July)
The Order will take effect only should a Home Nation reach the final, extending permitted hours by 2 hours from 23:00 to 01:00. However, crucially: many licences, and particularly those within the City of Westminster, only permit on-sales to 22:30 on a Sunday, and so will not trigger the extension. If applicable, operators may wish to obtain a temporary event notice to extend permitted hours (or if England fail to reach the final!).
To obtain a temporary event notice please contact your client care partner.
This note should not be viewed as legal or specific advice. If you have any queries in respect of the above or any other matter, please contact one of the partners
Alun Thomas E: athomas@tandtp.com T: 07956 805464
Thomas O’Maoileoin E: tomaoileoin@tandtp.com T: 07786 966173
Jack Spiegler E: jspiegler@tandtp.com T: 07720 975272
Please refer to our website Legal Notices section when reading our eNews articles