Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2021

Sporting clubs

28.—(1) In Part 1 of the Registration of Clubs Order (registration of clubs), after Article 15 insert—

“Extension authorisations

Extension authorisations for sporting clubs

15A.— (1) On the application of the secretary of a sporting club, the district commander for the police district in which the premises of the club are situated may, in writing, authorise the extension of the area of the premises in respect of which the club is registered.

(2) An authorisation under this Article authorises the club to hold a function at which intoxicating liquor may be supplied in the area of the premises to which the authorisation applies to members of the club, and guests of members of the club, who are present at the function (with Article 30 applying in relation to the function accordingly).

(3) An authorisation under this Article authorises the supply of intoxicating liquor during the permitted hours on the day or days specified in the authorisation; but the number of days so specified—

(a) may exceed one only if the district commander is satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances which justify granting an authorisation for more than one day; and

(b) in a case where the district commander is so satisfied, must not exceed 5.

(4) A district commander may refuse an application for the grant of an authorisation under this Article only if the district commander is satisfied that the function is likely to attract people in such numbers that it would not be practicable to accommodate them in the premises in respect of which the club is registered.

(5) An application for an authorisation under this Article must be accompanied by a plan showing the area of the proposed extension.

(6) Not more than 6 authorisations may be granted under this Article to any club in any year.

(7) Regulations may modify paragraph (6) so as to substitute a different number of authorisations for the number for the time being specified there.

(8) In the case of a sporting club in respect of which an authorisation under this Article has effect, a reference in this Order to the premises of the club includes, in relation to any time at which the authorisation has effect, a reference to the area to which the authorisation applies.

(9) Regulations may not be made under paragraph (7) unless a draft of the regulations has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly.”.

(2) In Article 2 of the Registration of Clubs Order (interpretation), in paragraph (2), in the definition of “sporting club”, at the end insert “and, in the case of a sporting club in respect of which an authorisation under Article 15A has effect, a reference to the premises of the club is to be construed in accordance with paragraph (8) of that Article”.

(3) In Article 3 of the Registration of Clubs Order (restriction on supply etc. of intoxicating liquor on club premises), at the end of paragraph (1) insert “or unless the supply or consumption is authorised in accordance with Article 15A”.