Etiket: pub

Digital ID Apps Set to Revolutionize Age Verification in UK Pubs!

Starting Tuesday, alcohol buyers in England and Wales can finally say goodbye to fumbling through wallets for physical IDs. Instead, they can whip o

Starting Tuesday, alcohol buyers in England and Wales can finally say goodbye to fumbling through wallets for physical IDs. Instead, they can whip out their phones and use digital ID apps to prove their age at pubs and shops. This exciting new rule is aimed at speeding up age checks while making them more secure for both customers and staff. Can you believe it? The government claims that this digital option will not only streamline the process but also reduce the amount of personal information shared during these checks.

So, here’s the scoop: customers will have the freedom to choose from a variety of ID apps, including options like the Post Office, Yoti, or Luciditi, as long as they’re on the government-approved list. This shift means that venues won’t have to rely solely on physical IDs anymore, although many will likely continue to accept them. It’s a big deal! The government is taking a hands-off approach regarding how these apps function, making it clear that they want to keep the tech flexible and adaptable.

What’s more, this new digital ID scheme is designed to protect privacy. Instead of handing over an official document, drinkers can simply tap their phones on a reader or display a scannable QR code. Imagine that! It’s like something out of a sci-fi movie, but it’s happening right now. The apps must also ensure that the person using them is indeed the owner, preventing anyone from borrowing a device to sneak a drink. Yoti’s tech, for instance, will include time-limited features to make it harder to share or duplicate QR codes.

Digital government minister Stephanie Peacock weighed in on the matter, stating that having digital ID options will help people feel “safer on a night out.” She emphasized that the rollout of this tech wouldn’t be burdensome or exclude millions of people. However, the new rules come on the heels of a more extensive digital ID program that stirred up controversy and was subsequently abandoned by former PM Andy Burnham. Oh, the drama!

Now, let’s face it, the transition to digital IDs opens up a ton of questions. Will people embrace this change, or will there be a backlash from those who prefer the good old-fashioned ID? Only time will tell. But one thing’s for sure: the landscape of pub culture in the UK is about to change. Will this make your next night out smoother and more secure? We’re all curious to see how this plays out…

Kaynak: Orijinal Haber

New Rules Make It Tougher to Convert Pubs into Homes in England

Turning pubs into housing or offices is set to become a trickier task, thanks to the upcoming changes in government planning rules in England. Starti

Turning pubs into housing or offices is set to become a trickier task, thanks to the upcoming changes in government planning rules in England. Starting from Monday, the updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) will introduce stricter protections for pubs that are facing the axe for conversion into other uses. Previously, protections were only given to the last pub standing in an area, but that’s about to change.

Now, pub and hospitality groups are raising their voices, pointing out that taxes and employment costs are the real culprits behind the closure of these cherished local spots. Meanwhile, the Conservative party has been quick to slam the Labour government, accusing them of “failing abysmally” amid ongoing debates about how local authorities should enforce ‘vertical drinking’ planning policies. It’s a mess, really, as Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have their own separate planning rules.

The Campaign for Real Ale has previously claimed that pubs are being unfairly targeted. The British Beer and Pub Association, along with UKHospitality, have been actively campaigning against these closures, blaming tax hikes and rising costs for the downturn in the pub scene. Allen Simpson, the chief executive of UKHospitality, said, “Anything that makes it harder to take these important assets away from their communities has to be welcomed.” But he also urged the government to stay focused on healing the wounds inflicted on the hospitality sector over the last couple of years.

In a related twist, the latest update means that some groups will no longer be consulted on housing development plans, which has sparked outrage. The Gardens Trust, a charity dedicated to parks and gardens heritage, described the removal of their role as a statutory consultee as “devastating,” arguing it devalues the significance of parks and gardens in community life. However, the Gardens Trust and Theatres Trust will still be notified of relevant applications, and Sport England will continue to provide advice on significant cases.

Labour has set an ambitious target of building 1.5 million homes by the year 2029. So far, official figures show that they have built 392,000 homes in England since taking power in July 2024. Shadow housing secretary Sir James Cleverly has not held back, stating that Labour is “failing abysmally.” He accused the party of planning a “power grab” that would effectively strip local communities of their say, forcing them to accept developments in the wrong areas because Labour is unable to build in appropriate locations.

The question now is, what will happen to our beloved pubs? Will they continue to be transformed into homes and offices, or will these new regulations help preserve them for future generations?

Kaynak: Orijinal Haber