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Arguments for modernising Northern Ireland's Liquor Licensing laws to increase competition Demi C. Edwards (24168084) PUREID: 527024532 Liquor Licensing Northern Ireland competition craft beer This research has studied the factors that shape the progression of Northern Ireland's (NI) craft beer market, with a particular focus on the pivotal role of regulations. Employing a qualitative document review and drawing upon the theoretical framework of Neo-Institutional Economics (NIE), this investigation seeks to explain the intricate relationship between regulatory measures and the evolution of the NI craft beer market. The study began by addressing the fundamental question of what specific factors influence the growth of the NI craft beer market. A comprehensive review of documents related to this topic identified a diverse array of factors that impact the market’s development, placing particular emphasis on the regulatory landscape and its role in either bolstering or impeding the craft beer market. One of the primary objectives of this research was to unravel the underlying rationale behind NI's Liquor Licensing (LL) regulations and to scrutinise their impact on the jurisdiction’s beer market, especially the craft beer sector. It employs the analytical scope of NIE to examine NI’s LL regulations, shedding light on the nuanced motivations guiding particular regulatory measures. Then, NI's LL regulations were compared to those of its counterparts in England and Wales (E&W), which constitutes another significant aspect of the overall analysis. By examining the external factors that impact the beer market and the regulatory variances between these jurisdictions, the study aimed to discern the unique challenges or advantages faced by the NI craft beer market due to its distinctive regulatory environment. The comparison provided valuable insights into cross-jurisdictional disparities. The most important question addressed in this research pertains to how NI's LL regulations might inadvertently encourage anti-competitive behaviours and impede the expansion of the NI craft beer market. Through an in-depth analysis of market entry and competition, including insights from interviews with business owners who have navigated this landscape, the study sought to determine whether these laws have played a substantial role in slowing the growth of the NI craft beer industry beyond the doctrinal understanding of the NI LL regulations. Insight from these owners allowed the examination of the actual effect of the NI LL regulations on market participants and informed the legislative amendment proposal. Finally, the research considers potential amendments to NI's LL regulations that could catalyse the growth of the NI craft beer market and the rationale behind these proposed amendments. The rationale behind each of the four proposed amendments was framed with NIE theory. This in-depth exploration aims to explain how modifications to the existing regulations could stimulate the NI craft beer market’s growth and its broader economic impact within NI. In summary, this research, informed by a qualitative document review and guided by NIEs, offers a comprehensive analysis of the multifaceted relationship between regulatory measures and the development of the NI craft beer industry. It sought to provide valuable insights into the intricate web of factors influencing the market’s growth. It also offered actionable recommendations for regulatory enhancements that could promote its expansion. 2026-10-01T16:46:26Z Text Thesis 10.17034/32638506.v1 https://figshare.com/articles/thesis/Arguments_for_modernising_Northern_Ireland_s_Liquor_Licensing_laws_to_increase_competition/32638506 All Rights Reserved