Business and Planning Act 2020 and Business and Planning Act 2020 (Pavement Licences) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2021
The Business and Planning Act 2020 received Royal Accent and took immediate effect on 22 July 2020. The Business and Planning Act 2020 (Pavement Licences) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 commenced 20 July 2021.
The 2020 Act and 2021 Regulations makes it easier for premises serving food and drink such as bars, restaurants and pubs, to seat and serve customers outdoors through temporary changes to planning procedures and alcohol licensing.
The measures included in the Act modify provisions in the Licensing Act 2003 to provide automatic permission and extensions to the terms of current on-sales alcohol licences to allow for off-sales. No new licence is required. This is a temporary measure to boost the economy, with provisions lasting until the end of September 2021.