blurt91

I wish you luck!

_nate

I don't think alcohol licenses are needed post-security at airports. I could be wrong but I think they are an exemption from the requirement, a bit like royal palaces.

southsquare

It was open when I went through yesterday but the normal door and part of the lounge are blocked off for renovation so the lounge entry is currently the exit door from which one normally boards BA at Gate 5. Apparently it will be open throughout the next few months as renovations/enlargement take place, save for some short closures on Saturdays, with different parts of the lounge being blocked off at different times for renovation. Yesterday was the normal food selection for that time of day: alcohol was available but the selection on display was reduced, as was the size of the food display (but not its variety - which was the usual Thai curry, leek/potato soup, ham, cheese, croissants, crackers, Tayto crisps, fruit etc). Staff told me that space limitations have limited their capacity to display the usual selection of alcoholic drinks but all drinks are still available on request, subject to their being sufficient staff available to fetch the drink. A few magazines are also back (for the first time since March 2020). It's the same superb staff, about whom I have written elsewhere - Sam, Nicola and colleagues - struggling to accommodate a full load of passengers in reduced space but still delivering great service.

BearX220

Well that is a relief because I will be passing through in a few weeks and the Priority Pass website is currently stating "Please note until further notice, alcoholic drinks are not available."

southsquare

Cans of beer were in the self serve fridge yesterday, and other drinks are apparently available "on request" subject to staff availability. Given the significant reduction in lounge capacity during renovations, one might speculate that at busy times, access might be limited/removed by Aspire for either Priority Pass holders or BA Gold/CE, depending on which pays Aspire more for the service Aspire offers. Might the Priority Pass website be about expectation management i.e. PP will may now consider it a bonus if alcohol is served, rather than vice versa?

BearX220

Thank you for the ground intel. Priority Pass is always about expectation management -- not many surefire admittance scenarios. It's like flying nonrev / space available.

stifle

That won't be the reason � a licence is not required to serve alcohol airside, or free of charge.

bd95

The Licensing Order NI 1996 and the Licensing Act 2021 make mention of applying to refreshment rooms in public transport premises (railway stations and airports). There is mention of the ability to designate the area beyond the customs control point as an international airport, if there is a significant number of international passengers.

Of course, the legislation mentions sale of alcohol and doesn�t discuss when it is complimentary. It does prohibit the supply of unlimited amounts of intoxicating liquor for a fixed charge (including cover charge)!

The legislation discusses the need for licenses to be updated if there are alterations to the premises. Perhaps it relates to the ongoing expansion.

Edit:
BHD was designated an International Airport by Order in 2013. This exempts licensed premises within the customs examination station from the licensing hours restrictions on sale and consumption. Presumably though the premises still need to be licensed?

blurt91

Having struck the first closure last Sunday and my next trip out of BHD being a Saturday which I am sure will coincide with one of the "Short Closures" and an upcoming trip to AMS and the apparent omnishambles that is Cafe Flor, I am really doing well with lounges at the moment!😂 Mind you I will be making my first visit to the FCO lounge this Sunday which is supposed to be pretty good.
Agree with your comments re the wonderful staff in BHD.

_nate

I am no expert but if it is a designated examination station then I don't think it needs (or can have) a licence at all, and this means it can do what it likes in this regard. I'm (in a very geeky way) curious about this, though, so if anyone knows better, do post and let us know.

Truthmonkey

Yes airport licensing is complicated. George Best is covered by specific legislation, but this doesn't cover the international part (the examination station) - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2013/284/made

Different rules apply in England and Wales where there is a prescribed list of international airports that are exempt. The Government consulted on this in 2021 in a bid to remove the exemption, but seems to have lost interest.

The assertion above that premises giving away alcohol for free is incorrect. You can give your friends alcohol, but this is the only time giving away is not a licensable activity - "supply" is a licensable activity alongside "sale". Venues in the past have tried, and failed, to exploit the lack of direct purchase. A notable example was a furniture shop that encouraged people to buy beer mats and "gave away" alcohol. It was swiftly shut down by the council

MickV

They are taking over the old aspire lounge and making one large complex. Works will take quite a while until they are finished. Brilliant little lounge in the UK's best airport with great staff. Not biased one tiny little bit mind.

stifle

I'm afraid you are the one who is incorrect here.

Under sections 1 and 14 of the Licensing Act 2003 the "supply of alcohol" has the narrow definition of "supply of alcohol by a club to members of the club".

Giving away alcohol for free is not sale, and does not fit within this definition of supply, and is thus not a licensable activity.

I am not familiar with the furniture shop mentioned but I expect authorities can look through clearly fictional activities to recognise abuses of the system. On the contrary, a hotel which opened prior to the issue of its premises licence was able to give alcohol free of charge to its residents.

JeffBHD

Staff today saying no alcohol until the building works are completed.

ECR

It says on their website:-

"We are currently unable to offer alcoholic drinks at the Aspire Lounge Belfast City Airport for operational reasons and we thank you for your patience and understanding whilst we work hard to resolve this. The lounge is still open and the perfect place to relax before your flight with complimentary soft drinks, hot food, treats and snacks, free WiFi, comfortable seating and fantastic views of the airfield and beyond".

https://www.executivelounges.com/air...-aspire-lounge