Bid to give parishes the power to decide where alcohol can be sold

Parishes could become the decision-makers on which bars, clubs and shops can sell drinks in a bid to replace a central arbitrator in a proposed overhaul of the law governing alcohol sales in Jersey.

An amendment filed by the Constables’ Committee would move licensing decisions – which are currently handled centrally by the Licensing Assembly – into the control of each individual parish.

If the amendment is backed by politicians, each Parish Assembly would make decisions on applications for alcohol licenses – which allow shops and venues to sell drinks – and for events to take place.

The proposed law would otherwise give this authority to the Jersey Gambling Commission, which would be renamed the Alcohol and Gambling Commission.

The Constables’ Committee said they “do not believe that the remit of the Jersey Gambling Commission should be extended”, as parishes already have experience with alcohol licensing.

Their criticism of the measure went further, suggesting that the proposals are an attempt to “secure the financial sustainability” of the Jersey Gambling Commission and “alleviate pressure on that regulator to make savings”.

The Gambling Commission’s 2024 annual report highlighted financial pressures, the Constables’ Committee claimed, with the arm’s-length organisation forecasting that they would either need to find a revenue stream or slowly run down their savings.

But Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel had previously said he was concerned the parishes could be “less than consistent” in applying the law.

Responding to this criticism, the Constables’ Committee said they already handled Sunday Trading Permits and decided how public land could be used. The appeals process and policy guidance should add more safeguards, they said.