YHA is set to improve services for its customers by applying for permission for public entertainment and the sale of alcohol at the majority of Youth Hostels in England and Wales.

At the moment, 94 sites are licensed to sell alcohol and this will rise to 154 as the accommodation provider responds to customer demand for a better quality of stay.

So far, 117 new applications have been submitted to local authorities for Premises Licences covering both public entertainment and sale of alcohol to ensure YHA is operating its hostels within the law.

Public entertainment quite naturally takes place at YHA, in the form of youth theatre productions or through groups of friends enjoying music performances as part of their stay.

Submitted under the Licensing Act 2003, the applications requested permission to serve alcohol 24 hours a day to customers and their bona fide guests, or to anyone attending a function that has been arranged at least 48 hours in advance.

This is in line with the standard provision at most hotels.

YHA food and beverage manager Colin Rich explained: “We’ve set about doing this by drafting a standard application which best reflects the general needs of our operations, so we can trade within the law.

“Sometimes that includes the provision for the sale of alcohol, primarily, but not exclusively to resident guests.

“The majority of the resulting licenses will reflect many we already have, and are equivalent to the old residents’ licence, where guests could legally purchase alcohol 24 hours a day.

“The law allows for anyone with concerns to lodge objections and if this is the case, we are happy to negotiate for conditions to be placed on the licence to address their fears.”

Colin added that licensing complaints against YHA were extremely rare and that neighbours had little cause for concern.

“The fact is that we do not, and have no plans to, serve alcohol around the clock at YHA,” he added.

“It is not financially viable to do so and we don’t have the staff.”

“Our applications were submitted in this fashion because it is the most cost-effective way of achieving our aim – submit one application for all, then deal with any sticking points case by case.

“What we do have plans to do is offer our customers what they expect from a contemporary food and beverage service, one that is comparable with any other restaurant, cafe or hotel where customers buy food or relax after a day’s travel or activities.”