To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any assessment his Department has made of the impact of existing alcohol licensing laws, including the surrender principle, on market access and affordability for small businesses such as micropubs, microbreweries and other community-focused venues.

Answer

The Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2021 (“the Act”) amended the Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 to introduce a new licence permitting local alcohol producers to sell alcohol directly to the public. This amendment was introduced to address market access issues highlighted by local producers during the preceding policy development. Further assessment will be undertaken as part of the Department's forthcoming review of the Act, anticipated to be launched early next year.