Government plans to rescue high street hospitality

Following the conclusion of a Licensing Taskforce earlier this year, the Government are set to overhaul planning and licensing rules and introduce a new National Licensing Policy Framework to modernise outdated planning and licensing rules.

The driving force behind this overhaul is to make it quicker and easier for new cafes, bars and music venues to open in place of vacant shops to revitalise the high street and reconnect communities.  

The Taskforce, which was set up to review the current licensing system under the Licensing Act 2003, set out a series of priority recommendations, and in its response published on 31 July 2025, the Government has accepted the majority of these, which include:

1. Implementing a National Licensing Policy Framework
   
   A new framework designed to deliver a more consistent, transparent and pro-growth licensing system. The purpose of this framework will be to provide clear national direction, aligning licensing with broader government priorities whilst still allowing local discretion.
2. Modernising existing licences
   It is accepted that there is a need to review and remove outdated and disproportionate conditions to modernise existing licences. There will be a specific focus on premises that have undergone significant use or operational changes which have resulted in licensing conditions no longer reflecting current operations.
3. Improving the licensing process and conditions for outdoor areas
   It is acknowledged that simplification and streamlining of pavement licences is needed and the Government is committed to exploring a longer licensing term, with a minimum duration of 2 years. It is also a long-standing commitment of this Government, as set out in the Prime Minister’s March Action Plan, to reduce the administrative costs of regulation by 25%. This recommendation, which includes removing repetitive renewal processes, would help support that overarching commitment.
4. Increasing the maximum entitlement for Temporary Event Notices (TENs)
   
   Temporary changes that were brought in during COVID to enable businesses to increase the number of ‘events’ they could hold demonstrated that such events provide opportunities for growth and increases in revenue. The Government intend to review the TENs entitlement maximum during this autumn.
5. Introducing an “Agent of Change” principle
   The purpose of this recommendation is to protect existing pubs, clubs and music venues to safeguard established uses in the wider context of planning and local development reforms. The Government want to enable new developments such as housing to co-exist with cultural infrastructure such as music venues. It will likely mean that developers will be responsible for soundproofing their buildings if they choose to build near existing pubs, clubs or music venues. ‘Hospitality zones’ will also be introduced where permissions for alfresco dining, street parties and extended opening hours for hospitality will be fast-tracked as part of the Government’s plans to revitalise the high street.

These are just a few of the priority recommendations which the Government has accepted as part of its reforms. They are extensive and will be subject to further work, engagement and consultation where required. Aspects of these recommendations will also inevitably require legislative changes meaning delivery of these reforms will be subject to Parliamentary time and process. It means we will not see changes overnight, but positive steps are being taken to rescue the struggling high street and to support one of the most significant contributors to the UK economy.