Liquor Licensing in Northern Ireland
The Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 sets out the Licensing Period as being “a period of 5 years beginning on 1st October 1997 or any quinquennial of that date”.
Many businesses may find that an application for renewal of their licence is sufficiently straight-forward to be undertaken as an administration task, with the application served upon, and to be decided by, the clerk of petty sessions. However, there are exceptions to the instances in which the clerk can renew a licence, and in these cases they must require the application to be made to the court.
Such exceptions are well set out in the Licensing Order and include, amongst others, those instances where the premises have been altered since the licence was granted or last renewed.
Relevant alterations include those which increase, change, or indeed conceal, the areas in which alcohol is served or consumed, or which affect circulation areas. At renewal such changes can cause major issues and can invalidate an existing licence. If you're in a renewal year (2022, 2027, 2032, etc) you need to establish the most efficient way through the renewal process, whether this is a Consent to Alterations application or a new grant application.
If you’re in any doubt about whether you need your Licence or plans amended or updated before the next quinquennial, discuss this with your solicitor as a matter of urgency.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help the homebuilding sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.
Delayed, derailed and devalued
How the UK’s planning crisis is undermining British manufacturing.
How much does it cost to build a house?
A brief run down of key considerations from a London based practice.
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.
AI-Driven automation; reducing time, enhancing compliance
Sustainability; not just compliance but rethinking design, material selection, and the supply chains to support them.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment
New CIOB Technical Information Sheet by Colin Booth, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure.
Turning Enquiries into Profitable Construction Projects
Founder of Develop Coaching and author of Building Your Future; Greg Wilkes shares his insights.
IHBC Signpost: Poetry from concrete
Scotland’s fascinating historic concrete and brutalist architecture with the Engine Shed.
Demonstrating that apprenticeships work for business, people and Scotland’s economy.
Scottish parents prioritise construction and apprenticeships
CIOB data released for Scottish Apprenticeship Week shows construction as top potential career path.
From a Green to a White Paper and the proposal of a General Safety Requirement for construction products.
Creativity, conservation and craft at Barley Studio. Book review.
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherited assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.