One month to lodge your silly season special licence
Waimakariri District Council media release: 16th October 2023
With the silly season around the corner, the Council is reminding anyone hosting an event or party where you’re selling and supplying alcohol to get your licence application sorted.
Many people forget that a Special Licence takes a minimum of 20 working days (approximately one full month) to process. This means that to get your festive party planned you need to apply soon.
“This is friendly reminder that nothing ruins your Christmas plans more than not having the party basics sorted – like your Special Licence.
“There are potentially big fines to pay if you sell and supply alcohol at your event without one and applying is easy and Council staff will help walk you through the process. So, it’s a no-brainer to get onto this early,” says Billy Charlton, Environmental Services Manager.
To host an event where you sell and supply alcohol without a Special Licence you risk a fine of up to $40,000 and imprisonment
Here are a couple of things that you need to know before applying:
- A Special Licence takes 20 working days (approximately one full month) to process.
- You will need to put in an application before Tuesday 21st November to get your licence sorted for Christmas week.
- Applications received less than 20 days before the event are unlikely to be considered.
Also applications will not be processed between 20th December 2023 and 15th January 2024 - as Council offices will be closed. This means that Special Licence events up to 14th February 2024 will be affected.
Find out more about alcohol special licences in the Waimakariri District.