A consultation has opened into proposed changes to Jersey's alcohol licensing law, which has not been updated since 1974.

The law, which controls who can sell alcohol and when, currently prohibits promotion of alcoholic drinks - meaning 'Happy Hours' and 2-for-1 offers are banned.

Pubs must also close at 11pm and clubs at 2am under the law. There are also seven different licence categories that traders selling and serving drinks can apply for.

The government's proposed changes include:

• Replace the Licensing Assembly with a dedicated Regulatory Authority, appointed by and answerable to the minister.
• Delegate the responsibilities of a Regulatory Authority to an existing regulator, namely, the Jersey Gambling Commission
• Move from seven categories of license to just three - on-licence, off-licence and temporary licence
• Remove the need for multiple licences on a single premises
• Introduce the ability to customise terms of each licence on a case-by-case basis 
• Update the powers of Police and the Fire Service
• Update policy on drinks promotions and minimum pricing. 

Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel

Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel says the proposals will make it easier for businesses to apply for permissions. 

"We are trying to simplify and streamline what is already there. We're trying to make a much more workable system - a system fit for the 21st century. 

"The system we have at the moment is as old as me, and therefore probably needs to change.

"I want to have a system that licensed businesses can understand. One that works five days a week, 52 weeks of the year rather than just on a quarterly basis. By having fewer licence categories it becomes a much more transparent and easier system to understand.

"We are taking away barriers to being a licensed business in Jersey, and I think that is really, really important because we know the hospitality sector have been talking about, and quite rightly complaining about, how difficult it is to be a licensed premise in Jersey - not just because of the law but the cost etc...

"By simplifying the law in this way, you are taking cost out of it for businesses. They have greater certainty and understanding of when they will get licensed, the conditions that are put on. That makes life a lot easier and therefore reduces cost for businesses."

Havana announced its closure earlier this year

This news follows a number of night-time economy closures in the last year including Havana, RoJo and Ce Soir. 

Deputy Kirsten Morel hopes the potential updates to the licensing law could be the boost the sector needs, benefiting young people in particular: 

"It will hopefully encourage people to possibly even open up a nightclub or two. I'm a father to a teenage daughter, She tells me very much the restrictions on what an 18/19 year old can do in town at the moment.

"Hopefully this will make it much easier and create certainty for businesses, so they understand if they want to become a licensed premise, how to do it, how to go about it and what their licences are, going forward."

Islanders are invited to share their thoughts by popping along to drop-in sessions at the new government offices in Union Street from 9 - 11am on 9 January and 12 - 2pm on 22 January. 

Responses will be used to influence proposals which will be presented to the States Assembly in 2025. 

It's hoped the changes will come into effect in 2026.