“Used sparingly and only for events of genuine significance,” ministers told peers - and now the switch has been wired for speed when celebrations arrive. The change matters on Northern high streets where big matches and royal moments can make or break a weekend’s takings. (hansard.parliament.uk)

UK Parliament confirmed the Licensing Hours Extensions Act 2026 received Royal Assent on 12 February 2026 and took effect immediately in England and Wales. The Act amends section 197 of the Licensing Act 2003 so Licensing Hours Orders can be made by negative resolution statutory instrument rather than the slower affirmative process. (whatson.parliament.uk)

In plain terms, a negative statutory instrument becomes law on the stated date and stays in force unless either House annuls it within 40 sitting days - allowing ministers to act quickly while Parliament retains a backstop. That’s the procedural shift unlocked by this Act. (parliament.uk)

For councils and venues across the North, this ends the last‑minute paper chase that has dogged big occasions. The Local Government Association backed the reform, citing cases where key events fell during recess or on Sunday mornings, and pubs and licensing teams were left scrambling. Sector lawyers point to the Women’s World Cup final in 2023 as a cautionary tale. (local.gov.uk)

Attention now turns to this summer’s test: the Men’s World Cup in North America. The Home Office opened consultation on 4 December 2025 to extend hours - proposing 1am for the semi‑finals and final if a Home Nation is involved and kick‑off is 9pm or earlier - with officials noting 132,200 on‑sales licensed premises across England and Wales. (gov.uk)

What counts as a big enough moment hasn’t changed. Orders are still reserved for “exceptional” occasions and can run for up to four days. Recent uses include the Platinum Jubilee, the King’s Coronation and major football finals - the very moments that fill pubs from Newcastle to Manchester. (gov.uk)

For operators, a blanket order is optional: if one is made, you can use the extended hours without filing a Temporary Event Notice for the covered period. For other fixtures - or later kick‑offs - TENs remain the route, with scope for police to object or add conditions, so managers should plan staffing and comms accordingly. (gov.uk)

Town halls also get breathing space. Instead of processing waves of late TENs, licensing teams can focus on compliance and clear messaging. As ministers put it on the record, the reform removes “unnecessary parliamentary hurdles” while preserving the right for MPs and peers to pray against any order. (hansard.parliament.uk)

For the North’s night‑time economy - from fan pubs on Deansgate to community clubs in Rotherham - certainty is the win. With Royal Assent sealed on 12 February and the World Cup on the horizon, venues finally have a clearer playbook for late kick‑offs and councils have a cleaner, quicker process to match.