Beware The Restrictions On Licensed Premises

Hospitality is a core industry in Jersey and there are many hotels, bars, restaurants and clubs, each of which operate from business premises. Each business is likely to have the benefit of a liquor licence, which authorises the sale and consumption on those premises of alcohol. The Licensing (Jersey) Law 1974 makes various provisions as to what can and cannot be done with respect to premises that are subject to a liquor licence, the impact of which can be commercially very significant to the business operator.

Upon applying for a new liquor licence, various reports are undertaken which examine the appropriateness of a licence being granted with respect to those premises. This includes reports from i) the Chief Fire Officer as to whether the premises meet current fire standards; ii) the Chief Architect of the States as to the structural suitability of the premises, taking account matters such as sound insulation, proximity to residential property and structural