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Availability

On this page

  • Facts and stats
  • Briefings
  • Publications
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

The legal availability of alcohol is generally accepted to be one of the main controls on levels of alcohol consumption and harm. Licensing systems are therefore a key component of an overall alcohol control policy.

Licensing laws control where, when and to whom alcohol can be sold or supplied.

Restricting the physical availability of retailed alcohol (via reduced hours of sale) are among the World Health Organization’s ‘Best Buy’ interventions for reducing the prevalence of Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

The following questions provide information on the licensing regulations in the UK and trends in the number of licensed premises. There is also information about the impact of licensing and availability regulations on public health and the night time economy.

Facts and stats

  • The average English postcode has 31 outlets selling alcohol within walking distance (1km) of its centre. (Angus, C. et al. 2017)
  • In England, alcohol outlet density increases with increasing neighbourhood deprivation. 
  • The most deprived 20% of postcodes have around 3 times as many outlets selling alcohol within walking distance of their centre as the least deprived 20%.
  • In Scotland, alcohol-related hospital admissions and deaths correlate with the density of licensed premises. (AFS, 2018)
  • In the UK, 71% of licensed premises are licensed to sell alcohol for on-premises consumption.
  • From 1970 to 2022, the number of licensed premises in the UK increased by 54%.
  • From 2000 to 2022, the increase was 12.1%.

How many licensed premises are there in the UK? by The Institute of Alcohol Studies

  • The number of personal licences to sell alcohol in England and Wales has risen almost 62%, from 505,000 in 2012 to 817,100 in 2022. 

How many personal licences to sell alcohol are there in England and Wales? by The Institute of Alcohol Studies

  • The number of personal licences to sell alcohol in Scotland rose 45%, from 40,286 in 2012 to 58,462 in 2018. 

How many personal licences to sell alcohol are there in Scotland? by The Institute of Alcohol Studies

  • The number of premises with a 24-hour alcohol licence increased by 31% from 8,100 in 2018 to 10,600 in 2022.

How many 24-hr licences to sell alcohol are there in England and Wales? by The Institute of Alcohol Studies

  • As of 31 March 2022, supermarkets and stores (3,620) overtook hotel bars (2,689) as the most likely to have 24-hr alcohol licences. 970 pubs, bars and nightclubs owned a 24-hr alcohol licence. 

Which establishments have 24-hr alcohol licences? by The Institute of Alcohol Studies

Briefings

Licensing in practice: the availability of alcohol in UK society

Licensing law

Publications

Spending Review submission 2025

January 2025

IAS response to consultation on Alcohol in licensed pavement areas

May 2024

Off-trade alcohol availability and violence: assessing the impact of on-trade outlet closures

August 2023

IAS response to consultation on Licensing Act 2003: regulatory easements

April 2023

IAS response to consultation on Late Night Levy Fees

February 2023

The COVID Hangover: addressing long-term health impacts of changes in alcohol consumption during the pandemic

July 2022

IAS response to consultation on WHO Framework to strengthen Alcohol Action Plan

April 2022

Preventing underage alcohol purchasing online using payment card details

December 2021

IAS response to DCMS Review of the Gambling Act 2005

March 2021

IAS response to Call for evidence and views on the licensing and registration of clubs (Amendment) bill

January 2021

IAS response to Liquor licensing laws in Northern Ireland consultation

December 2019

IAS response to ‘Alcohol and late night refreshment licensing statistics’ consultation

January 2019

Anytime, anyplace, anywhere? Addressing physical availability of alcohol in Australia and the UK

May 2017

IAS response to the call for evidence by the House of Lords committee into the 2003 Licensing Act

September 2016

The Licensing Act (2003): its uses and abuses 10 years on

March 2016

IAS response to Home Office consultation on Community Ancillary Notices

December 2014

IAS response to Home Office consultation: Enabling targeted, local alternatives to personal licences to sell alcohol

November 2013

IAS response to the Home Office consultation on aspects of the Government’s Alcohol Strategy

February 2013

IAS response to Re-balancing the Licensing Act

August 2010

IAS response to Home Office consultation on mandatory licensing code

August 2009

IAS response to Time for Reform: Proposals for the modernisation of our licensing laws

July 2000

IAS response to the National alcohol strategy

February 1999

Blogs

12308Harm reduction as a rational response to irrational drinking

Harm reduction as a rational response to irrational drinking

Dr Will Haydock

21st May 2025

12130“A meal is a way of connecting with somebody”

“A meal is a way of connecting with somebody”

Andrew Misell

19th March 2025

12034It’s just a matter of time: drone-delivered alcohol in your neighbourhood

It’s just a matter of time: drone-delivered alcohol in your neighbourhood

Professor Simone Pettigrew

29th January 2025

11945“Outta sight, outta mind?”. What do the public and professional stakeholders think about alcohol policy?

“Outta sight, outta mind?”. What do the public and professional stakeholders think about alcohol policy?

Dr Elena D. Dimova

4th December 2024

10654Ireland’s reputation on alcohol policy under threat

Ireland’s reputation on alcohol policy under threat

Dr Sheila Gilheany

20th February 2024

10470Acceptable, accessible and affordable – but at what cost? 

Acceptable, accessible and affordable – but at what cost? 

Alice Wiseman

15th November 2023

10295Alcohol availability and accessibility around schools in Ireland

Alcohol availability and accessibility around schools in Ireland

Anne Doyle

26th September 2023

10051Alcohol control policies for everyone?

Alcohol control policies for everyone?

Dr Carolin Kilian

6th June 2023

Podcasts

Home drinking is a major contributor to alcohol-related violence

In this month’s podcast we spoke to Lucy Bryant of IAS and Dr Carly Lightowlers of the University of Liverpool, […]

Lucy Bryant – Institute of Alcohol Studies
Dr Carly Lightowlers – University of Liverpool

August 2023

Videos

The Impact of Alcohol on our Healthcare Services: Explained

February 2025

Preventing underage alcohol purchasing online using payment card details

December 2021

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