ALLOWING happy hours and two-for-one cocktail deals are among the proposals being put forward by the government to overhaul Jersey’s decades-old alcohol licensing legislation.
The proposed updates to the 1974 Licensing Law, which regulates the sale and consumption of alcohol in the Island, were announced on Monday by the Economy Department in an attempt to make it simpler and less expensive for businesses to operate.
The potential changes have been described as a “Christmas present” for the hospitality sector by the Jersey Hospitality Association.
The government has also launched a four-week consultation to gather Islanders’ views, after first consulting with Public Health and the hospitality industry.
Feedback can be provided online or in person at drop-in sessions and will directly shape the version of the law that will be debated in the States Assembly in 2025. If approved, the new law is expected to come into force by 2026.
Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel said that the proposals aimed to make the licensing process more transparent, efficient and responsive while maintaining safeguards for public health and safety.
The current law, which is more than 50 years old, imposes several restrictions on operating hours and drinks promotions. Happy hours and buy-one-get-one-free offers are prohibited, and pubs must close by 11pm, with clubs required to close by 2am.
Licensing decisions are also currently made by a panel consisting of the Bailiff and Jurats, which grants one of seven rigid licence categories to businesses wishing to serve alcohol.
Business owners and Islanders have long argued that the decades-old law is outdated and needs to be reformed.
New proposals include replacing the current Licensing Assembly with a dedicated regulatory authority, likely to be the Jersey Gambling Commission under a new name.
“We’ve heard from the hospitality sector about how complex and costly the current system is,” Deputy Morel said. “By consolidating responsibilities under an existing regulator, we’re creating a framework that’s easier to navigate and operates year-round.”
The number of licence categories would also be reduced from seven to three: on-licence, off-licence and temporary licences. This change also aims to streamline the licensing process and make it more flexible.
A key focus of the reforms is the potential reintroduction of drink promotions, which were banned in the 1970s in response to concerns about excessive drinking.
Responding to questions from the JEP about whether this policy could encourage this type of behaviour, Deputy Morel argued that responsible drinking would remain a key element of the licensing framework.
He also suggested that licensed premises were safer environments for drinking than people’s homes where overconsumption is harder to monitor.
“Public health officials support these changes because licensed premises are safer environments for drinking. On-site staff are trained to manage behaviour and prevent overconsumption, which isn’t possible when people drink alone at home,” he explained.
This comes after recent data from the Jersey Opinions and Lifestyle Survey showed that nearly half of adults drink at home, either socially or alone.
Multiple nightlife venues have closed in recent years, including ROJOs this summer, Ce Soir in 2023, WYSIWYG in 2020 and Kokos in 2017. Following Havana nightclub’s closure yesterday, Jersey now has just three operating nightclubs.
Deputy Morel said he hoped the changes would make it easier for businesses to open and operate licensed premises.
“We need to ensure Jersey remains attractive to young people, and that includes offering places where they can socialise safely,” he said.
Marcus Calvani, co-chief executive of the Jersey Hospitality Association, welcomed the proposals, describing them as a “Christmas present” for the sector.
He said they would “remove fear” while “stimulating creativity.”
Feedback
The consultation will remain open until 26 January and can be accessed here.
The feedback will inform the drafting of amendments, which are expected to be presented to the States Assembly in 2025.
If approved, the new law could take effect within 12 to 15 months.
