Abolishing the personal alcohol licence would not achieve a lessened regulatory burden for retailers and would lead to significant confusion and inconsistency is the message of the Association of Convenience Stores in its submission to Government.

Chief executive James Lowman said: “Ministers announced in July their intention to remove the requirement on personal licence holders to renew their licences after 10 years. This was a positive move strongly welcomed by retailers. However, the concept of abolishing the licences altogether is a step too far.

“Personal licences provide a clear national standard of training and competence in supervising alcohol sales. They are also portable allowing individuals to move between premises without undermining the alcohol licence of the business. The alternative proposed which is for local approval of individuals named as supervisors on the alcohol premises licence every time they change would create confusion and inconsistency.

“Ministers’ instincts to reduce regulatory burdens are correct, but in this instance such a move would impose new burdens that would outweigh perceived benefits.”

Ministers will now be considering responses to the consultation and will decide on whether to proceed.