CEO comments on consultation to change liquor licensing laws at special events

27 March 2019

In response to the discussion today at the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on the consultation to change licensing laws at special events, Colin Neill, Chief Executive, Hospitality Ulster reacted:

“We welcome the Secretary of State confirming she will not pre-judge the consultation currently taking place on licensing laws at special events in Northern Ireland. Both the Secretary of State and the Chair of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee Dr Andrew Murrison MP acknowledged how bad it looks for Westminster to simply pick and choose what they want to legislate on.”

“If Westminster is able to legislate on this issue, then the wider liquor licensing laws should be sorted as part of this process once and for all and not just give special status to big event promoters who will be gone as soon as they arrive.”

“The British Open may be worth £80m to the Northern Ireland economy as a one off, but our members contribute £1.2billion to the Northern Ireland economy every year.”

For further information or to set up an interview with Colin Neill, please contact:

Chris Brown                                                   

Brown O’Connor Communications                       

E: chris@brownoconnor.com                                      

M: 07801973320                                            

DD: 02890 726024                                  

Tw: @CB_PRandPA