The UK government is considering removing the legal requirement for alcohol licensing notices to be published in printed local newspapers, a proposal that has sparked significant criticism over concerns about reducing public awareness and transparency. Currently, notices about new pubs opening or changes to existing venues must be advertised in print, ensuring local communities are informed about developments affecting their surroundings. The proposed change aims to shift away from print, relying more heavily on digital platforms.

Critics argue that this shift would limit access to vital information, particularly affecting those who rely on traditional newspapers for local news. Danny Cammiade, chairman of the News Media Association (NMA), highlighted that local news outlets provide a trusted and independent environment for such public notices. He emphasised the importance of retaining the print requirement to support those unable or unwilling to use digital technology. According to Mr Cammiade, removing these notices from print would obscure community decisions and undermine ongoing efforts to broaden the reach of public notices online.

The proposal forms part of a wider licensing reform consultation launched in October by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Business Secretary Peter Kyle, following recommendations from the government’s Licensing Taskforce. Notably, this taskforce predominantly comprised hospitality and night-time economy representatives, with no media sector involvement, raising questions about the breadth of perspectives considered. The NMA and other industry bodies, including the Society of Editors and the Newspaper Society, have united in opposition, warning that the removal of print advertisements risks disenfranchising communities and reducing transparency. Owen Meredith, NMA chief executive, metaphorically linked pubs and local newspapers as community hubs fostering cohesion, asserting that the government's plan for ‘secret’ alcohol licensing notices would damage both.

Research supports these concerns; a survey by OnePoll indicates that local news media remains the primary method by which the public accesses public notices, surpassing social media, government websites, and other channels. Furthermore, a House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee report has underscored significant digital exclusion, revealing that about 10.2 million UK adults lack the foundational skills to fully engage online. This digital divide underlines the argument that print remains essential for equitable community engagement and public awareness.

Similar debates have unfolded in Wales, where in July 2024, six daily newspapers, including the South Wales Argus, successfully lobbied to maintain the printed notice requirement following a legislative amendment passed amidst government abstention. This contrasts with the situation in England, where proposals in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill seek to remove legal mandates for publishing important local authority notices in newspapers.

The controversy reflects longstanding concerns about the impact of removing public notices from printed media on local democracy and community participation. Parliamentary debates dating back to 2013 recorded fears that such removals would erode public rights and exclude local voices from licensing decisions. Industry voices now argue that eliminating printed alcohol licensing notices could lead to licensing being decided ‘in secret’, further marginalising those without online access and damaging community cohesion.

The government, however, defends the proposals as part of a broader ambition to reduce ‘red tape’ and stimulate the night-time economy. As the Institute of Licensing reports, the government plans to review the necessity of printed statutory notices within its forthcoming Local Media Strategy, assessing their relevance in an era dominated by digital communication.

Opponents remain resolute in urging a rethink. The NMA stresses that pubs and local papers thrive symbiotically as pillars of community, and that transparency in hospitality licensing matters is essential for maintaining public trust and local engagement. Critics warn that proceeding with the plan could ultimately harm both pubs, which are important social venues, and the local news organisations that serve as watchdogs and connectors in neighbourhoods across the country.

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Source: Noah Wire Services