Plans for 'secret' alcohol licensing notices an attack on public's right to know

INDUSTRY experts have issued a warning over proposals for "secret" alcohol licensing notices as a result of a Government shakeup.

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Plans to scrap laws requiring alcohol licensing notices and changes to local authority governance arrangements to be published in printed local newspapers have caused concern.

News industry experts say it amounts to changes being made in "secret" while they say it is a "direct attack" on the public right to know.

As Ministers launch a consultation on licensing reform, which includes a proposal to remove the statutory requirement for alcohol licensing notices to be advertised in print local papers, industry leaders have warned that the plans would shroud local communities in secrecy.

If enacted, the proposal in the consultation - launched on 9 October by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Business Secretary Peter Kyle - would mean that plans to open a new pub or nightclub, or for an existing venue to change its opening hours, would no longer be publicised within local communities.