Licensing laws: Extended pub opening times approved by Stormont

Long-awaited plans to extend opening times for pubs and nightclubs in Northern Ireland have passed their final hurdle at Stormont.

The changes will allow pubs and clubs to serve alcohol for an extra hour, until 02:00, almost every weekend.

Easter drinking restrictions have also been removed, with the changes backed by assembly members (MLAs) after a debate in the assembly.

Most of the changes will take effect from 1 October 2021.

The 1 October date will allow the hospitality industry to avail of extended opening times ahead of the Christmas period.

Other measures will come into force from 6 April 2022 in time for next Easter.

It marks a significant liberalisation of Northern Ireland's laws on alcohol that has been in the making for nine years.

A previous bill to change Northern Ireland's licensing laws began its legislative passage in 2016, but the assembly collapsed in January 2017 amid a bitter row between the DUP and Sinn Féin, who share power together at Stormont.

Meanwhile, a full statutory review of licensing laws in Northern Ireland will also be held following an amendment to the licensing bill secured by SDLP assembly member (MLA) Matthew O'Toole on Tuesday afternoon.

The amendment means the Department for Communities must begin an independent review within the next year, including an investigation of how the so-called "surrender principle" affects the industry.

The principle means no new licence can be granted unless another one is surrendered.

Licences for selling alcohol on and off premises are also convertible in court, which means that every supermarket or convenience store seeking to add an off sales needs to acquire a licence from somewhere else.

Mr O'Toole said the review would be a "first step toward reforming the system here so that it works for everyone".

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey said she believed it was a "a balanced piece of legislation".

She told BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme there was a need "to modernise in 2021".

"I want to make sure we do this in a balanced way, lifting some of the current restrictions, which are archaic, but also be mindful in terms of the health and safety impacts," she said.

Cinemas will also be permitted for the first time in Northern Ireland to apply for a licence to sell alcohol to customers.

It will bring the rules in Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

Michael McAdam of the cinema chain Movie House said it was a positive step.

"I think it will add to people's overall experience," he said.

"I don't envisage massive sales but it's about giving people choice and that's the good thing about this legislation."

Other changes in the bill include the extension in "drinking-up time" from half an hour to an hour, meaning venues can operate until 03:00 at weekends.

The law will also be tightened in some areas - supermarkets will face restrictions on where they can place in-store advertising for alcohol.

The current voluntary code of practice for drinks promotions will be replaced with legal requirements.

The changes will also enable local drinks producers to sell their products directly to the public in limited circumstances, make changes to the law affecting registered private clubs and allow changes to permitted hours at major events.