Do the prohibitions on unaccompanied children aged under-16 extend to beer gardens or outside terraces?
Yes. One of the major changes in the Act is for the first time the licensing laws will extend to the whole of the premises rather than just the ‘bar area’ as was previously the case. Under the old regime, a child as young as 5 could be given alcohol to drink in a beer garden – this will no longer be legal. The sale or supply of alcohol anywhere on relevant premises to anyone aged under 18 years will be prohibited and will be a prosecutable offence; as will the consumption of alcohol by an individual under 18 anywhere on relevant premises. However, an exception is provided for an accompanied individual aged 16 or 17 where the alcohol is beer, wine or cider to be consumed at a table meal. Children aged under 16 will have to be accompanied by an adult in establishments which are exclusively or primarily used for the supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises. Most pubs with a beer garden or outside terrace will fall under that description.
