Gone are the days when you could just wander out of your front door and go down for a drink at your local… well, for now !
Covid-19 has driven a coach and horses through the hospitality industry and pubs across the country remain closed waiting for the end of the lockdown… whenever it comes!
Whilst we may be wrestling with a broken cork on a wine bottle or a tab broken on a can of beer as we pursue our drinking habits at home from off-licences, many are still unclear about what the law is at present in these dark and troubled times about alcohol and pubs.
What is the law at present regarding pubs delivering alcohol to members of the public?
Is it illegal, and if not, would police advise pub owners against it?
A police spokesperson said: “It is legal for pubs to deliver alcohol to members of the public as outlined in the Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (the Order). However, there are a number of conditions that they must comply with as outlined in Article 66 of the Order, which includes:
“A record of the quantity, description and price of the liquor and the name and address of the premises of the person to whom it is to be delivered had been entered before the liquor was dispatched:
• In a day book kept on the premises from which the liquor was dispatched; and
• In a delivery book or invoice, carried by the person delivering the alcohol.”
The police spokesperson added: “We would remind all licensees to ensure they comply with these requirements and in addition to ensure they follow Government advice on how to minimise the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).”
The NI Licensing legislation can be found by clicking the link at:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisi/1996/3158/contents/made
Drink safely!
Stay safe!
