Horsham District Council says that a number of salons in the Horsham district appear to be offering 'complimentary alcohol' as part of the services given to their customers.

HDC says the Licensing Act 2003 is very specific in defining what constitutes a retail sale of alcohol.

It adds that 'Sale by Retail' includes all transactions except those which are purely business to business. For example, the sale of alcohol to a club or to a trader for trade purposes is excluded from the scope of the Act.

A complimentary glass of wine or other alcoholic drink which is conditional upon the purchase of a hair or beauty treatment cannot be regarded as free, as the provision of the alcohol is dependent on the recipient paying for the hair or beauty treatment.

HDC says that this amounts to a retail sale of alcohol and as such the premises must have the relevant Premises Licence for the Retail Sale of Alcohol issued by their local authority under the provisions of the 2003 Act.

The council's licensing officer will be conducting a number of visits in the coming weeks and months to ensure that the provisions of the 2003 Act is complied with.

To carry on a licensable activity without the benefit of an appropriate Premises Licence is a criminal offence which carries a maximum penalty of a fine of up to £20,000 or six months imprisonment or both.

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