What does ‘off-licence’ mean?

The term ‘off-licence’ came into being under the Licensing (Scotland) Act of 1853, often referred to as the Forbes Mackenzie Act, (16 & 17 Vict. c.67). This established two types of liquor licence – one was for sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises, the other allowed grocers to sell alcoholic drinks strictly for consumption off the premises (hence ‘off-licences’). This was done to bring grocers’ shops under the licensing acts. Previously many shops had offered liquor along with snacks (such as bread and cheese). The act provided that pubs, inns, hotels etc should not operate as grocery shops and grocery shops should not operate as pubs.