Proposed alcohol licensing changes 'a direct attack on the public right to know'

Plans to scrap laws requiring alcohol licensing notices and changes to local authority governance arrangements to be published in printed local newspapers amount to a direct attack on the public right to know, the local news media sector has said today.

As Ministers launch a consultation on licensing reform, which includes a proposal to remove the statutory requirement for alcohol licensing notices to be advertised in print local papers, industry leaders have warned that the plans would shroud local communities in secrecy.  

The warning is being supported by Baylis Community Media CIC, publisher of the Maidenhead Advertiser, Slough & Windsor Express, and Henley Standard.

If enacted, the proposal in the consultation – launched on October 9 by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Business Secretary Peter Kyle – would mean that plans to open a new pub or nightclub, or for an existing venue to change its opening hours, would no longer be publicised within local communities.

The Government’s Licensing Taskforce – which made the initial recommendation to scrap alcohol licensing notices in local papers – was set up to review the Licensing Act 2003 which applies to England and Wales.  The taskforce was overwhelmingly made up of representatives from the hospitality and night-time industries, with media not represented on the group. 

At the same time as the licensing reforms, a provision in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill would remove the legal requirement for notices publicising changes to local authority governance arrangements to be published in local papers. 

This would strip communities of the right to know about sweeping changes to local councils – just as the government embarks upon the most dramatic reform of local government in 50 years.  

News Media Association chairman Danny Cammiade said: “Local news media in print and digital provide a highly trusted and independent environment for public notices to appear in, with local journalists often reporting on the content of the notices. 

“Developed with funding and expertise from Google, the industry’s Public Notice Portal has increased the reach of public notices online, with the print requirement remaining essential for ensuring those who cannot, or prefer not to, use digital technology can access the notices. 

“Removing alcohol licensing notices from local papers would undermine this work and leave local communities shrouded in secrecy. Ministers must change course and abandon this misguided plan.”  

A House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee report on digital exclusion warned that around 10.2 million adults (20 per cent) are unable to complete all eight of the foundation tasks needed to set someone up for using the online world. 

And independent research from OnePoll shows that local news media remains the primary source used by the public to access public notices, ahead of other sources such as social media, local authority websites, search engines, and printed mailouts. 

NMA chief executive Owen Meredith said: “Pubs and local papers go hand in hand. They are community hubs, rooted in place, fostering connection, and acting as a glue that binds neighbourhoods together. 

“Yet the government’s misguided proposals for secret alcohol licensing notices would damage local community cohesion by making decisions around hospitality venues less transparent, ultimately harming both pubs and local papers.”    

James Preston, editor of the Maidenhead Advertiser and Slough & Windsor Express, said: "These notices have been published in the Advertiser and Express for decades, often representing the first time readers learn about a new bar close to their home or a business that wants to stay open later into the night.

"Our titles have a long and proud history of supporting the hospitality industry, celebrating the many achievements of our pubs and bars across East Berkshire and South Bucks.

"While we want to see the industry given every chance to thrive after a tough few years, we believe every member of the community also has a right to know and have their say about licensing applications.

"When these applications appear in our newspapers – often highlighted by our reporters' commitment to making public notices more accessible – many of our readers get excited and celebrate a new venue for their town or village.

"But others may wish to raise legitimate concerns on issues such as noise or safety – something they may not be able to do if they don't read about the application in their local newspaper.

"Public scrutiny is not 'red tape'."