Children Policy

It is the duty of all licensing authorities that, in carrying out these functions, they must promote certain licensing objectives, which are:

• Prevention of crime and disorder
• Public safety
• Prevention of public nuisance
• Protection of children from harm

Children in Pubs

The vast majority of pubs are family-friendly places offering a warm welcome to parents and children. There are many myths surrounding children’s access to pubs and what they can and can’t do when on the premises. The following clarification is intended to help parents and operators of licensed premises understand the law in the following areas. This is the BBPA's understanding of the Licensing Act 2003 and is not a legal statement.

GENERAL ACCESS

The licensee has overall discretion over whom he or she allows into the pub.

The Licensing Act 2003 swept away the vast majority of restrictions on allowing children in pubs. Each pub now has a unique set of conditions on the licence which sets out how the pub operates. Generally speaking, children are allowed to enter a pub unless it has a particular licence condition which says children are not to be permitted.

The exception to this is if the pub is used “primarily or exclusively” for the supply and consumption of alcohol on the premises. In this case, a child under the age of 16 is not permitted on the premises when the pub is open for business unless they are accompanied by someone 18 or over.

A further restriction is that no unaccompanied child under the age of 16 is allowed on any premises licensed for the sale and consumption of alcohol on the premises between the hours of midnight and 5 am if it is open for business. 

ALCOHOL

Sale

It is illegal to sell alcohol to someone under 18 or to knowingly sell alcohol to someone who is 18 or over but who then gives the alcohol to someone under 18. 

Purchase

Equally, you are breaking the law if you are under 18 and you buy or attempt to buy alcohol or if you are 18 or over and you buy alcohol for someone who is under 18. 

Consumption 

It is illegal for someone under 18 to consume alcohol on licensed premises or for anyone working there to allow that to happen.

UNLESS the person is 16 or 17 years old and they are drinking beer, wine or cider with a sit-down meal and are accompanied by someone 18 or over. This is perfectly legal.

Proof of age

Pubs are responsible for ensuring that they operate within the law and customers may well be asked to prove that they are 18 or older. Customers should not be offended when this happens. Pubs will accept the following forms of proof of age:

Photocard driving licence

Passport

Proof of age card bearing the PASS hologram

HM Forces identity card