Legal checklist: Pub notices on display

One of the most repeated queries from operators of licensed premises is: “What notices do I have to display at my pub?” Here is a concise and not exhaustive list of the different types of notices normally required to be displayed at a premises.

You can be forgiven for assuming that, once an answer is provided, it is basically a cut and paste exercise, which can be passed on to other operators asking the same question. However, requirements to display notices vary from business to business.

■ Your premises licence summary — Licensing Act 2003.

■ A notice nominating the person who has custody of the full premises licence.

■ A notice making customers aware of the availability of measures required under the mandatory conditions on your premises licence.

■ A notice identifying that wine is sold in 125ml, 175ml and/or 250ml, other specified alcohol in approved measures — Weights & Measures (Intoxicating Liquor) Order 1988, and detailing costs.

■ Prior to consumption or payment by customers, the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 require operators to make menus and prices readily available and to include such information required by a customer to make an informed choice.

■ A warning notice that it is illegal to sell tobacco to anyone under the age of 18 — Children & Young Persons (Protection from Tobacco) Act 1991 as amended (the size is specified under legislation).

■ A no-smoking notice, to be displayed at entrances (again, the size is dictated by legislation) — Smoke-free (Signs) Regulations 2007.

■ The company name should be displayed at the registered office, where the company records are kept, and at a location where the business is conducted — The Companies (Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2008.

■ If accommodation is available, the cost must be displayed;

■ If you have CCTV, a notice informing customers that they are in an area where CCTV is being used should be displayed — Data Protection Act 1998.

■ The declaration of the alcohol by volume (ABV) content must be shown or displayed — Food Labelling Regulations 1996.

■ A health and safety law poster is to be displayed if each employee has not been provided with a pocket card reminder — Health and Safety Information for Employees Regulations 1989.

■ A company’s or premises’ health and safety policy statement must be displayed, or at least made available to all employees.

■ The employers’ liability insurance certificate must be displayed — Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969.

■ Fire safety and evacuation plans — The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Finally, carefully check the terms of authorities you have (eg premises licence, planning permission or pavement licences) requiring you to display additional notices.