Alcohol & Licensing Query

[Paul coulson]

Hi All
I am hoping to operate a party bike/ beer bike with in the Uk and finally getting somewhere with relevant councils about the status of the bike in terms of permits required.
As the business model is taking ALL bookings and payments in advance via the website their would be no street trade permit required, and the bike is under 15 seats it doesn't require a commercial driver's license with a passenger endorsement.
Essentially it is just a big bike with pedal assist (electric bike).

So my next hurdle is the alcohol bit...
I would like to offer clients a couple of complimentary drinks on board, so their would be no sale taking place.
From what I have read, a moving vehicle can not be granted a license as it is not a premises.
Can you offer advise of ways around this??

In theory, this would be no different to a party bus offering users complimentary drinks as part of the service.
Thank in advance

 

[Andy...]

I'm pretty sure that a vehicle with a premises license must be parked for the supply of alcohol to be allowed.
I took and passed the personal license test recently, but that particular detail has been forgotten as it doesn't apply to me. I still have the books, brb

 

[Paul coulson]

I'm pretty sure that a vehicle with a premises license must be parked for the supply of alcohol to be allowed.
I took and passed the personal license test recently, but that particular detail has been forgotten as it doesn't apply to me. I still have the books, brb

Thanks for this, an interesting twist. I would just have to give guarantees that it will park before pouring a round.

 

[Andy...]

BIIAB defines 'premises' as
- Any building, part of building or open space.
- A moveable structure such as a beer tent, a parked vehicle such as a burger van or vessels such as river boats.

'Parked vehicle' is the important bit. A bicycle, according to the law, is a road vehicle.

You would need a personal licence, a premises licence and nominate yourself as DPS (designated premises supervisor) on the application.
And you might need licences in every local authority jurisdiction...

Inn-dispensible sorted my training course, test and licence application.

 

[Andy...]

Oh, and you may have to charge for the drinks, or the LA may see it as an 'irresponsible promotion'; might be a good idea to consult your local licensing committee.

 

[Paul coulson]

Oh, and you may have to charge for the drinks, or the LA may see it as an 'irresponsible promotion'; might be a good idea to consult your local licensing committee.

Amazing stuff, thank you. I am just looking at courses now. And looking at BIIAB stuff, that all seems easy, and providing its kept "responsible" then should have no issue [Famous last words]

Thanks

 

[Andy...]

You're very welcome, I hope to give back to this forum as much as I take from it. I hope it works out for you and everybody pedals equally hard

 

[Paul coulson]

You're very welcome, I hope to give back to this forum as much as I take from it. I hope it works out for you and everybody pedals equally hard

I feel like I've had a break through this evening, so thanks again.

 

[Andy...]

One last thought, if each customer is getting a printed or email receipt, it could detail the drink prices separately from 'pedal time' and you could show the LA that you are not charging below the legal minimum (cost of duty + vat). You could still promote a 'beer bike evening tour' with (idk, say) 6 drink stops for '£xx all in', as long as you can prove each customer pays £xx for the alcohol as part of that 'all in' price.
Anyway, it's tired and I'm late; good night and good luck.

 

[Paul coulson]

One last thought, if each customer is getting a printed or email receipt, it could detail the drink prices separately from 'pedal time' and you could show the LA that you are not charging below the legal minimum (cost of duty + vat). You could still promote a 'beer bike evening tour' with (idk, say) 6 drink stops for '£xx all in', as long as you can prove each customer pays £xx for the alcohol as part of that 'all in' price.
Anyway, it's tired and I'm late; good night and good luck.

Many thanks, watch this space. Good Night

 

[Noah]

you are not charging below the legal minimum (cost of duty + vat).

Unless I have missed something , this is only a requirement in Scotland.

 

[Andy...]

The 50p/unit minimum price in Scotland is different to the cost of duty+vat minimum which applies to England and Wales; it is to prevent people getting shitfaced on cheap drinks. The England and Wales minimum only protects the taxman, he doesn't care about your liver.
www(dot)bbc(dot)co(dot)uk/news/uk-scotland-43948081
(Still can't post links, you can parse it yourselves)

 

[Noah]

The 50p/unit minimum price in Scotland is different to the cost of duty+vat minimum which applies to England and Wales

I'm fairly certain that there is no legislated minimum pricing for alcohol on any basis in the UK outside Scotland. Do you have a reference for your claim please?

 

[Andy...]

Okay, Wales is also getting a 50p minimum unit price later this year...

The current rules can be found here:
www(dot)gov(dot)uk/government/publications/banning-the-sale-of-alcohol-below-the-cost-of-duty-plus-vat-march-2015

 

[Noah]

Okay, Wales is also getting a 50p minimum unit price later this year...

The current rules can be found here:
www(dot)gov(dot)uk/government/publications/banning-the-sale-of-alcohol-below-the-cost-of-duty-plus-vat-march-2015

Seems I was mistaken - thanks. While I was aware of the proposal I wasn't aware this had actually been implemented, albeit as a "statutory instrument" appending to the Licensing Act 2003 rather than primary legislation.

I do not recall any enforcement of this, but that is no reason to flout it, of course.