In a letter to the Institute of Licensing, the Home Office has confirmed that the Regulatory easement in respect of off-sales of alcohol will cease in September 2022.

The letter confirmed that whilst the regulatory easement "was a temporary measure to boost the economy in response to the Covid 19 pandemic ... and given the continuing prevalence of Covid 19, this measure was extended by the Alcohol Licensing (Coronavirus) (Regulatory Easements) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (1049/2021)." 

However, "given the absence of Covid restrictions in England and Wales, there is no legal basis for a further extension and, accordingly, the measure will lapse on 30 September 2022.  Any premises licence holder who wishes to continue to benefit from the changes that the easements allowed will need to apply for an off-sales licence. Whilst they are not obliged, licensing committees might decide to consider whether any such applications could be decided via the minor variations process, in particular for premises licence holders who are currently taking advantage of the easements."