The Licensing Hours Extensions Bill—described repeatedly as “modest but useful”—completed its Third Reading in the House of Lords, with peers from all parties endorsing its aim: to allow the Government to extend pub and venue opening hours more swiftly during moments of national significance.

HRC is the UK’s leading trade event for hospitality and foodservice and takes place on 30 March-1 April 2026 at Excel London as part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week. Over three days, you’ll meet the people behind the products, connecting face-to-face with suppliers, brand owners and operators who are bringing the latest ideas to the table.  A great way to find out the latest sector trends and opportunities. For tickets and more information visit the official website for the exhibition combined with Food, Drink & Hospitality week here 

The Licensing Hours Extensions Bill—described repeatedly as “modest but useful”—completed its Third Reading in the House of Lords, with peers from all parties endorsing its aim: to allow the Government to extend pub and venue opening hours more swiftly during moments of national significance.

The Chancellor is backing British pubs with a major support package, as the government recognises the challenges facing the industry and the vital role they play in building strong local communities.

Over the past 20 years, the licensing regime has enabled over 200,000 businesses to operate, including over 145,000 ‘on-trade’ venues such as restaurants, pubs, cafes, nightclubs and entertainment venues. Many committed professionals work within the licensing regime to process applications, hear residents’ concerns, and support businesses and entrepreneurs. Plenty of good practice exists, with authorities working collaboratively to foster vibrant, inclusive and safe places.

Westminster is a city that never truly sleeps. From worldrenowned theatres and historic landmarks to bustling latenight cafés and vibrant communities, it is a place of culture, opportunity, and connection

The new restaurant will seat 95, and have a private dining room and chef’s table. ‘There are very few buildings that Huw and I have always spoken about as dream Hawksmoors, and this is one,’ says Hawksmoor co-founder Will Beckett of the new opening. ‘As we approach the 20th anniversary of our first Hawksmoor restaurant, it feels perfect to be able to bring everything we’ve learned in London and beyond back to one of the most dramatic and gorgeous buildings in our hometown.’  Co-founder Huw Gott added: ‘I’ve always loved working with incredible architectural heritage, and there are no finer buildings around. This feels perfect. It’s historic and full of life, a place where London and the world pass through every day’.  Hawksmoor will also be taking over the adjoining bar, which was most recently known as The Gothic Bar. The glamorous space will change its name to The Martini Bar.   Information courtesy of Time Out 

Bubble trouble: French Champagne houses go on the offensive to protect the Champagne name.

The intimate spot, Upstairs at Ronnie’s, will open on the first floor of Ronnie Scott’s in Soho. The space above the OG club has held many live events over the years, but it closed for refurbishment in 2024.

London councils that block pubs and clubs from opening later could see their decisions overturned by the mayor of London under new powers from the government. Sir Sadiq Khan may be able to “call in” licensing applications in areas deemed to be of strategic importance for the night-time economy as part of a new pilot scheme. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the pilot would ensure the hospitality industry had “the conditions to grow” and was not “tied down by unnecessarily burdensome red tape”. Westminster City Council said it granted the “vast majority” of licensing applications and only refused ones where safety concerns had been raised by the police or because significant disruption was likely. It follows warnings that the capital’s nightlife has been struggling since the pandemic and Brexit, with rising rents, falling footfall, staff recruitment issues and cost of living pressures. UKHospitality, the industry trade body, has said the combination of all rising costs would amount to a £3.4 billion hit for the industry, and has called on the government to come up with a plan for hospitality. Earlier this year, the mayor launched a dedicated taskforce to help boost London’s nightlife and save venues at risk of closing. Source BBC all coptright recognised .Read the full article here on the BBC UK website