Select a region
Two-for-one cocktail deals could finally be on the menu as part of an overhaul of the island's decades-old alcohol licensing law.
Allowing venues to offer drinks promotions, which is not currently possible under local law, has long been discussed by successive governments but the idea has never got off the ground.
However, responding to questions from Deputy Montfort Tadier this week, Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel said the current “moratorium” on drinks promotions is in the scope of forthcoming planned amendments to the Licensing Law – which are set to come into force in 2026.
It's also planned that responsibility for granting such permissions would lie with the Minister – rather than the Royal Court.
Deputy Morel had already previously said he was considering a range of changes to the sale of alcohol, including drinks promotions, following a review – but this marks his first commitment to an overhaul of the happy hour rules.
Pictured: The 1974 Licensing Law sets out the island’s approach to alcohol and governs how licensed premises operate.
Deputy Morel said: "I can confirm that the current moratorium on drinks promotions is included within the scope of forthcoming amendments planned to the Licensing Law.
"As the prohibition is not explicitly contained within the Primary Law, this change will be achieved by updating the terms of on-licenced premises and by moving the responsibility for alcohol policy guidance to the Minister, and by extension the States Assembly, rather than the Royal Court."
The government has seen numerous appeals over the past two decades to update laws governing Jersey’s approach to alcohol, and to ease restrictions on alcohol promotions like two-for-one deals.
However, despite extensive consultation and repeated promises of action by successive governments, progress in modernising the 1974 law has been slow and has led to frustration among some within the industry.
Despite consultations and reports produced by previous governments, and price promotions being approved by the States in 2020, Deputy Morel said another review was necessary due to the "difficult and deeply complex" nature of updating legislation, so changes aren't expected to be made for another two years.
The move to reform the island's alcohol laws sits alongside a larger piece of work to reform the island's rules around public events.
The Unlawful Public Entertainments Regulations, first introduced in 1992 primarily to address illegal raves, make it an offence to hold public entertainment without permission from the Bailiff.
Event organisers have argued the rules create unnecessary red tape and barriers to a vibrant event scene and Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel has pledged to update them.
Pictured: The States Assembly voted to approve Deputy Kirsten Morel’s proposition in principle.
The existing regulations, which require renewal every three years, are set to expire in July.
However, Deputy Morel said the States should agree to renew them until July 2027 to allow time to develop a new law to make sure that public events can be managed safely with minimal public disruption.
In a 39-one vote with three abstentions, the States Assembly yesterday approved extending the current regulations.
It will now be put to Scrutiny before being brought back to the States Assembly for further debate in the States Meeting beginning Tuesday 16 July.
The new law, which aims to streamline the process of organising events, will be created through what's been described as a 'Sector Development Plan' to establish a regulatory environment that is easier to navigate.
The plan also aims to attract major sports, cultural and business events to the island, and create a more joined-up events calendar with "a vibrant and year-round programme of events".
Gov pledges to update "anachronistic" public events law
FOCUS: Another round? Hopes that promises to update Jersey's alcohol law won't run dry
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.