On 6 May 2023, the coronation of His Majesty the King Charles III will take place at Westminster Abbey, eight months after he acceded to the throne on 8 September 2022. The Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, has stated that “His Majesty The King’s coronation will be a momentous occasion deserving of special celebration”.
Section 172 of The Licensing Act 2003 allows the Home Secretary to make an order relaxing licensing hours to mark occasions of “exceptional national significance”. This was previously used in 2022 for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Following a government consultation, 77.1% of the public were in favour of extending licensing hours once again over the coronation weekend. Subsequently, Parliament passed an order on 6 March 2023 extending licensing hours for pubs, clubs and bars in England and Wales from 11pm until 1am on Friday 5 May, Saturday 6 May and Sunday 7 May 2023. This means that licensed premises are able to sell alcohol for consumption on the premises later than usual. Licensing hours for the provision of regulated entertainment will also be extended from 11pm to 1am. However, the order does not extend licensing hours for the sale of alcohol from off-licensed premises.
