Late Night Refreshments
The Licensing Act 2003 does not just affect alcohol, there are other licensable activities that will be run by this system, these include public entertainment and late night refreshment.
Cafes and takeaway outlets serving hot food or drink between the hours of 11pm and 5am require late night refreshment licences but the law will also require a minority of stores that provide hot food and drink late at night.
Here are some examples:
You DO need a late night refreshment licence if you sell over the counter hot food, such as food to go (pasties and pies) or takeaway (burgers, fries) between 11pm and 5am
You DO need a late night refreshment licence if you sell hot drinks over the counter.
You DO NOT need a late night refreshment licence to sell grocery or non-hot food late at night.
You DO NOT need a late night refreshment licence if you have a vending machine that sells hot food and drink, but is operated by the customer inserting money in the machine rather than paying you over the counter.