Licensing News

We use this page to publish any upcoming changes in legislation that is relevant to any of the licences we process which include pubs, clubs, taxi vehicles and drivers, gambling, scrap metal and animal welfare.

Notices

Dereham Market Place closure notice

This notice potentially effects Quebec Street Taxi Rank

The notice has been received from Norfolk County Council regarding works to the bus stops in Dereham Market Place. Please follow the below link to Norfolk County Council's web page regarding this for more information.

Dereham Market Place Closure Notice (opens new window)

Public Information from Norfolk County Council - Update

PBA044 - Dereham Market Place Gold Standard Bus Stops

Traffic Management Update: Night works

I am writing to provide an update on the Dereham Market Place bus improvement works, which are currently underway and are expected to be completed by 20 March 2026, subject to weather conditions.

As part of these works, The High Street, between Norwich Street and Market Place, will be closed overnight for five nights from Monday 16 February, between 6:30pm and 6:30am, to allow the installation of a new pedestrian crossing point. These works will take place overnight to minimise disruption during the day and to ensure the safety of the workforce and the public.

Please be assured that we will aim to keep any noisy works from taking place after 11pm, although some work will still be required throughout the night.

During the closure:

Vehicle access from High Street to Market Place, Church Street, and Quebec Street will not be possible.
Resident and business access to Church Street and Quebec Street will be maintained via St Withburga Lane, managed by temporary traffic signals, with a signed diversion route in place.
All other traffic will be required to follow the signed High Street diversion route around the works.

The County Council thanks residents, businesses, and road users for their patience and cooperation while these improvements are carried out.

For further information: Dereham Market Place Closure Notice (opens new window)

Christopher Steil, Highway Designer, 0344 800 8020

Public Information from Norfolk County Council 13 February 2026

Ref: PBA044/SC/YS

PBA044 - Dereham Market Place Gold Standard Bus Stops

Traffic Management Update: Surfacing works

Beginning on 02 March 2026, Norfolk County Council will be resurfacing the roads in the Market Place and Church Street. This much needed maintenance has been combined with the Dereham Market Place improvement works to minimise disruption. The works are expected to take up to two weeks to complete, weather permitting.

To allow the works to be completed as safely and efficiently as possible, we will be closing Market Place, Church Street, and the High Street north of Norwich Street from 6:30am on Monday 02 March 2026. The work will see the existing old, cracked, and worn road surfaces replaced with a new surface, along with new raised pedestrian crossing tables, and updated road markings.

To complete the works as quickly as possible we will be working 24 hours a day. We will aim to undertake the noisy jobs during the day, although some work will still be required throughout the night.

During the closure:

Vehicle access from High Street to Market Place, Church Street, and Quebec Street will not be possible.

Resident and business access to Church Street and Quebec Street will be maintained via St Withburga Lane, managed by temporary traffic signals, with a signed diversion route in place.

All parking will be suspended on Church Street, in addition to the existing parking suspensions in the Market Place.

All other traffic will be required to follow the signed High Street diversion route around the works via Station Road, Matsell Way, and Wellington Road.

The Dereham Market Place improvement works, which are currently underway, are on schedule to be completed by 20 March 2026.

The County Council thanks residents, businesses, and road users for their patience and cooperation while these improvements are carried out.

For further information: Dereham Market Place Closure Notice (opens new window)

Sam Collins, Highway Designer, 0344 800 8020

Up-to-date information about road works in Norfolk is available on the County Council website at Dereham Road Works Update Page (opens new window)

Avoiding licence fee scams

Do you pay a licence fee to Breckland Council? Watch out for scams.

Breckland's Licensing Team will never ask for your bank information, but may need your card details. If you are unsure, you can always check whether a call is legitimate by phoning the Breckland Contact Centre on 01362 656870.

Government confirms extended licensing hours for the FIFA Men's World Cup 2026

The UK Government has confirmed that pubs in England and Wales will benefit from extended licensing hours during key matches of the upcoming FIFA Men's World Cup 2026.

Ministers have now confirmed that pubs will be permitted to stay open later—without the need to submit a Temporary Event Notice (TEN)—for specific Home Nation fixtures during the tournament.

Extended hours for Home Nation matches

Under the proposed Licensing Hours Order, pubs will be allowed to extend opening hours for the sale of alcohol on the premises during the later stages of the tournament, provided a Home Nation team (England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland) is playing. The extensions will apply as follows:

Until 1am for any quarter‑final, semi‑final, or the final if the match kicks off at or before 9pm (BST)
Until 2am for any quarter‑final with a 10pm (BST) kick‑off
Matches starting after 10pm (BST) will not fall within the scope of this relaxation and will therefore require a TEN if premises wish to open later

Temporary Event Notices still required for other matches

While the relaxation covers key late‑stage fixtures, the Government has been clear that premises will still need to submit a TEN for any other matches where they wish to extend their hours. However, ministers have indicated that options are being explored to extend opening hours for additional Home Nation games, signaling that further flexibility may follow as the tournament approaches.

Microchipping of Cats

Owners have until 10 June 2024 to microchip their cat. Cats must be microchipped before they reach 20 weeks of age, except for unowned cats (i.e. feral and community cats). You must keep your details up to date on a DEFRA approved microchipping database. Catteries have been advised to add the microchip number to their records for any cats boarding in their establishment. Further information can be found on the Cat Protection website. (opens new window)