Pub & Bar: three things to look out for in 2026

2026 looks like being a busy year for licensing- in England & Wales in particular.  In this article, Piers Warne, runs through what the coming year will hold…

Changes following the ‘Licensing ‘Sprint’

The Government has committed to reforms in licensing following a short consultation in 2025. Some of these changes have already been implemented in limited form, such as the introduction of a national policy framework. Perhaps of greater significance will be a new reference in the amended licensing policy that: ‘all licensing authorities should consider the need to promote growth and deliver economic benefits’. It is to be hoped authorities take this to heart.

Other changes we may see in 2026 include:

• A commitment to reduce administrative costs by 25%.

• A one-time condition amnesty to remove old/ unworkable conditions.

• Minimum evidence threshold for representations against applications or on review.

• Granting additional powers to officers to make recommendations in licence reports.

• Centralised specialist appeals procedure.

• Removal of newspaper adverts.

• Simplifying procedures for use of external spaces.

• Codification of agent of change principle in licensing to prevent reviews where someone moves to an existing ‘nuisance’.

• Powers for the Mayor of London to call in licensing matters of significant importance.

• Increase in the number of Temporary Event Notices (TENs).

We would expect to see some of these materialise in the next 12 months, which will hopefully cut costs and simplify licensing processes. However, the commitment to putting growth and economic benefits at the heart of licensing, alongside the licensing objectives, could have a profound and positive effect on how licensing authorities seek to determine matters if properly adopted.

Martyn’s Law

Every restaurant, pub and bar hosting over 200 customers will need to prepare for the introduction of Martyn’s Law. The registration scheme is expected to come into force in spring 2027, but the Home Office and SIA guidance are expected to be released this year to enable parties likely to be affected to prepare for registration. Registration will include details of the responsible person, premises and relevant documentation to the tier in which your premises falls (standard tier- between 200 and 799 persons, enhanced tier 800 or more). Given the potential for penalties for non-compliance, early consideration and adoption of measures would make sense.

FIFA Men’s World Cup Finals

The 23rd World cup finals will be held between the 11 June and 19 July 2026. At the time of writing England and Scotland have qualified, but with play-off matches for Northern Ireland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland, there could be further interest in the tournament. England’s group matches start at either 9pm or 10pm, but Scotland’s group matches start at either 11pm or 2am. At the time of writing, the Home Office is consulting on a potential extension to licensing hours for the semi-finals and final until 1:00am in England and Wales. However, for premises looking to show the World Cup in full, extensions are likely to be needed to licences. It may be that given the extended format and the late times, full variations will be required, so worth planning early.

Conclusion

The tough trading conditions that operators are facing at the moment and potential further difficulties in the New Year are not lost on anyone in the industry. It has to be hoped therefore that in seeking to remove regulatory burdens for licensed premises, with the new emphasis on the need for a business- friendly approach, there will be some scope for hospitality to reset in the new year. With a World Cup in which at least one home nation would expect, rather than hope, to go deep into the tournament (I won’t comment on which one!) we must hope that the new year provides new hope for a successful and profitable 2026.

Q&A

Q: I have heard that the Autumn Budget introduced changes to salary sacrifice pension arrangements. What changes were made and how should I prepare?

A: From April 2029, employee pension contributions made via salary sacrifice above £2,000 annually will no longer be exempt from National Insurance Contributions (NICs). Currently, these arrangements allow employers and employees to save NICs by reducing salary in exchange for higher employer pension contributions. The new threshold means contributions beyond £2,000 will attract NICs at standard rates, potentially increasing costs for businesses and reducing take-home pay for staff. Operators should assess the financial impact, review contractual terms, and prepare for employee consultations. Clear communication will be vital to manage expectations and queries. Systems must be updated to reflect the changes, and employers may need to consider alternative reward strategies. Early planning will help mitigate risks and maintain staff engagement in a competitive hospitality market

This article was first published in Pub & Bar.

This publication is intended for general guidance and represents our understanding of the relevant law and practice as at January 2026. Specific advice should be sought for specific cases. For more information see our terms & conditions.