Businesses selling alcohol in Jersey could face a new fee structure – including a proposed £550 standard licence and a £250 charge for late opening – under plans being consulted on by the Government.
The Economy Department has launched a consultation on proposed fees for the Island’s new alcohol licensing system, which is due to come into force alongside the new Alcohol Licensing (Jersey) Law in 2027.
The government says the proposed system would simplify licensing, reflect the new categories and create a “more balanced approach” to different types of alcohol sales.
Under the proposals, a standard on-licence would cost £550, while off-licences would be split into two bands:
- Small off-licences: £200
- Large off-licences: £550
- Charities, sports clubs and eligible organisations: £100
- Event licences: £60
- New application administration fee: £50
- Licence change fee: £20
- Late-opening bolt-on: £250
The Government is proposing to use a 50m² floor-space threshold to distinguish between small and large off-licences.
The consultation says the change is intended to bring greater parity between on- and off-licence businesses.
Currently, off-licences contribute less than 10% of total alcohol licence fee income, despite accounting for a substantially larger proportion of alcohol sold in Jersey, according to the consultation.
However, the government says applying the same fee to every off-licence could disproportionately affect smaller businesses, hence the proposed two-tier system.
The existing licensing regime dates back to the Licensing (Jersey) Law 1974 and has seven licence categories.
Some businesses currently need more than one licence for the same premises, while licence fees have not increased in line with inflation since 2007.
Earlier this year, States Members voted to approve an overhaul of the alcohol laws, under which the Licensing Assembly will be abolished, with oversight passing to the government’s Regulation Directorate and an Alcohol Policy Group – which will issue guidance on areas such as opening hours, promotions, pricing and public health – will be established.
The new law will also reduce the system to three main licence types: on-licences, off-licences and event licences.
Businesses will also be able to hold licences covering more than one premises under the same business entity.
Late-night businesses
Pubs, clubs and other premises permitted to sell alcohol beyond normal licensed hours could face an additional £250 late-opening fee.
The government says the standard on-licence fee would cover normal licensed hours, with the bolt-on intended to reflect the “additional administrative, regulatory and policing requirements” associated with later opening.
Discounts for clubs and charities
A reduced £100 fee is proposed for charities, sports clubs and other organisations where selling alcohol is not their main purpose and sales are only occasional, seasonal or during irregular trading hours.
The consultation gives sports clubs, charities and seasonal guest houses as examples of organisations that could benefit.
Events
Event organisers would pay a proposed £60 fee per event, rather than separate fees for individual alcohol vendors.
Under the proposed system, an organiser could include several smaller vendors at an event while having a single licence and responsible person.
The consultation says the approach is intended to make the process easier to manage while allowing events to have multiple alcohol sellers.
The government says the new fee model is designed to keep overall licence fee income at broadly the same level as under the existing system.
The consultation is open until Friday 6 November 2026.
People can respond online, by email or in writing to the Economy Department.
The government says responses will be considered before a response is published, with the proposed fee structure then intended to be introduced by ministerial order alongside the new licensing law in 2027.
