My unlicensed hovercraft bar is technically legal

TL;DR

The Licensing Act 2003 in England includes an exemption that allows alcohol to be sold aboard hovercrafts without a license.

Transcript

In England, if you want to sell alcohol to the public, you need a licence. You can't just set up a bar or a pub anywhere. And the law about that is set down in the Licensing Act 2003. There are a lot of details in there, including some exceptions. For example, section 173 makes it clear that as long as you're "on a journey", you do not need a licen... Read More

Key Insights

• 👻 The Licensing Act 2003 in England requires a license to sell alcohol, but there is an exemption for hovercrafts that allows alcohol sales without a license.
• 🐎 Hovercrafts require skilled steering rather than focusing solely on speed.
• 👮 Selling alcohol from a hovercraft may be legal, but other Trading Standards laws still need to be followed.
• 👯 The exemption for hovercrafts exists to cover alcohol sales to passengers, as hovercrafts used to travel longer distances and serve a larger number of people.
• 😒 The presenter made use of a contactless card reader and sold real beer from the hovercraft during the demonstration.
• 🛟 Serving alcohol from a hovercraft presents unique challenges, such as maintaining stability and avoiding spills while serving.
• ⚾ Hovercraft racetracks operate based on the exemption, as the craft is considered "on a journey" even during back and forth crossings.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is it legal to sell alcohol from a hovercraft without a license in England?

The Licensing Act 2003 exempts hovercrafts from requiring a license to sell alcohol since they are considered to be "on a journey" and are meant to serve passengers during travel.

Q: What are some unique challenges in serving alcohol from a hovercraft?

Hovercrafts require careful steering and leaning, making it important not to disturb the craft's control while serving. Additionally, the hovering motion can cause vibration and affect the quality of the drinks being served.

Q: Are there specific limitations or regulations in selling alcohol from a hovercraft?

While the exemption allows selling alcohol, other Trading Standards laws still apply. The presenter could potentially be in violation of those laws if not followed properly. It is important to consult legal advice for complete compliance.

Q: Why hasn't the law been updated if there is only one hovercraft service now?

The exemption remains in place because trains and planes, which carry passengers throughout the country, are also covered under the same exemption. Even though there is currently only one hovercraft service, the law has not been modified.

Key Insights:

• The Licensing Act 2003 in England requires a license to sell alcohol, but there is an exemption for hovercrafts that allows alcohol sales without a license.
• Hovercrafts require skilled steering rather than focusing solely on speed.
• Selling alcohol from a hovercraft may be legal, but other Trading Standards laws still need to be followed.
• The exemption for hovercrafts exists to cover alcohol sales to passengers, as hovercrafts used to travel longer distances and serve a larger number of people.
• The presenter made use of a contactless card reader and sold real beer from the hovercraft during the demonstration.
• Serving alcohol from a hovercraft presents unique challenges, such as maintaining stability and avoiding spills while serving.
• Hovercraft racetracks operate based on the exemption, as the craft is considered "on a journey" even during back and forth crossings.
• While the hover martini drink served during the demonstration was mixed with grass kicked up by the hovercraft's fans, it was legally compliant to measure spirits for such a simple drink.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Licensing Act 2003 in England requires a license to sell alcohol to the public, but there is an exemption that allows alcohol sales aboard hovercrafts.

• Hovercrafts require skillful steering rather than focusing solely on speed.

• While selling alcohol from a hovercraft may be legal, other Trading Standards laws may still apply.