Licensing Law

Leading trade associations raise concern about LGA call for licensing review

04-Feb-2014 By Michelle Perrett

Leading trade associations have raised concerns about calls for a health objective to be added to the licensing regime.

Blackpool pubs should 'reconsider their business model', says leading licensing lawyer

04-Feb-2014

A leading licensing barrister has suggested that Blackpool’s pubs and clubs should “reconsider their business model”, after claiming the introduction of an early morning restriction order (EMRO) would be “no death knell” for the town’s trade.

Local councils call for review of licensing system

04-Feb-2014 By Michelle Perrett

Councils are calling on the Government to undertake a comprehensive review of the licensing regime.

PM orders rethink on World Cup licensing hours extension

03-Feb-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

The Prime Minister has “ordered a rethink” on pub opening times for England’s World Cup games in Brazil this summer, a day after the Home Office said it had ruled out extending licensing hours.

Licensee fails in appeal over illegally showing Sky

03-Feb-2014 By Michelle Perrett

A licensee who appealed his prosecution for showing Sky Sports programmes illegally had it dismissed at Liverpool Crown Court on 23 January 2014.

Home Offices rules out World Cup licensing hours extension

03-Feb-2014 By Mike Berry

The Home Office has ruled out extending pub licensing hours for England's opening football World Cup match in Brazil this summer.

7 legal obligations for operating CCTV at your pub

31-Jan-2014 By Poppleston Allen

If you use CCTV at your premises you have certain legal obligations. In this article, licensing specialists Poppleston Allen lists some of the main ones.

High Court rules Swansea licensee broke copyright law with Premier League football screening

31-Jan-2014 By Lewis Brown

The High Court has ruled a pub licensee in Swansea broke copyright law by broadcasting Premier League football using a foreign satellite card, which was for private use only.

Hackney approves licence refusal policy

31-Jan-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Hackney Council has approved proposals for a special policy area (SPA) to be implemented in Dalston – meaning new licence applications for pubs and bars in the area will be automatically refused.

Cambridgeshire pub landlord fears bankruptcy if licence conditions imposed

24-Jan-2014 By Lewis Brown

A pub landlord in Cambridgeshire fears he will go bankrupt if conditions are put on his licence to employ door staff.

Premier League to prosecute 100 pubs over foreign satellite screenings

23-Jan-2014 By John Harrington

The Premier League plans to prosecute 100 pubs and bars across England and Wales for broadcasting games using foreign satellite systems, the BBC reports.

Police crackdown on glassware in London pubs

23-Jan-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Licensees are being forced to serve drinks in plastic “urine sample-style” containers as police and councils crackdown on glassware in pubs and clubs operating after midnight.

Legal checklist: Late Temporary Event Notices (TENs)

17-Jan-2014 By Poppleston Allen

If pubs wish to hold an ad-hoc event and it is less than 10 working days to the event, they may be able to submit a 'late TEN'. Here’s a legal checklist for applying for these notices.

Cambridgeshire pub's licence called into question after noise row

13-Jan-2014 By Lewis Brown

A publican in Cambridgeshire fears he may be forced to close or completely re-think his business after a noise dispute lead to a licence review hearing.

AWP tie ban risks creating 'Wild West free-for-all' warn suppliers

02-Jan-2014 By John Harrington

Pub gaming machine suppliers have written to the Government expressing serious concerns about plans to ban the AWP tie, with one predicting a “Wild West-style free-for-all” as rogue suppliers target pubs.

Leeds City Council executive board recommends late-night levy rejection

20-Dec-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

Leeds City Council’s executive board has rejected proposals to introduce a late-night levy, favouring partnership working instead.

Cheltenham Council second to approve late-night levy

17-Dec-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

Cheltenham Borough Council is the second local authority in England and Wales to approve proposals for a late-night levy.

Licensing extension for showing World Cup games not supported by police association

10-Dec-2013 By Lewis Brown

A group that represents chief police officers has said it does not support a national extension of licensing hours for the World Cup, something the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) said could bring in an extra £20m for pubs.

Blackpool delays EMRO hearing for second time

09-Dec-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

Blackpool Council has deferred a hearing into a proposed early morning restriction order (EMRO), which was due to take place from today until Friday, 13 December, after the licensing trade highlighted procedural irregularities in the pre-hearing procedure.

5 festive licensing tips for pubs

03-Dec-2013 By Poppleston Allen

With Christmas fast approaching, now is the time to check your entertainment programme for the festive period is above board. Here are 5 tips for ensuring you and your customers have a very merry Christmas.

Legal Q&A: Capital allowances

03-Dec-2013 By Andrew Stanley

Licensed businesses could be missing out on substantial sums in tax relief as the low profile of capital allowances and the complexity of the rules have resulted in billions of pounds being unused. Our legal Q&A explains how to unlock tax relief for...

Legal Q&A: Recovering rent arrears

15-Nov-2013 By Weightmans

The law around recovering outstanding rent arrears is changing in April 2014. What does this mean for pub landlords and do they need to make changes now to ensure compliance? Law firm Weightmans takes a closer look.

Home Office stats show personal licences increase

15-Nov-2013 By John Harrington

A total of 34,300 new personal licences were issued in England and Wales the year to 31 March 2013, as the Government examines plans to abandon the system, new Home Office data shows.

Westminster licensee calls for support against licence review

12-Nov-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

A Westminster licensee is campaigning for support after two local residents have applied for his bar to be taken to licence review.

Former pupils at Licensed Victuallers School organise charity reunion

08-Nov-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

Former pupils of Licensed Victuallers’ School in Slough, Berkshire have organised a school reunion to raise money for Breast Cancer Care.

Late-night levies & EMROs: progress report

08-Nov-2013 By Poppleston Allen

An update on the situation across the country by licensing specialists Poppleston Allen.

Industry unites against personal licence abolition plan

06-Nov-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

Industry groups, including the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) and Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR), have lobbied the Government to retain personal licences in a joint letter to crime prevention...

Licensing professionals attack plan to scrap personal licences

06-Nov-2013 By John Harrington

An influential association that represents c2,500 professionals working in licensing has added its weight to calls to shelve plans to abolish personal licences.

Newcastle implements late-night levy; Kingston rejects EMRO; Blackpool sets EMRO hearing date

01-Nov-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

Newcastle licensees will begin paying a late-night levy today, after the local council rubber-stamped proposals to introduce the measure in June.

Tendring Council quotes PMA in personal licence consultation submission

29-Oct-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

Tendring District Council has submitted its response to the Government consultation on scrapping personal licences quoting evidence from the Publican's Morning Advertiser.

Leading licensing barrister slams councils over “iron-rule” approach to cumulative impact zones

28-Oct-2013 By Noli Dinkovski

A leading licensing barrister has slammed local councils for their “iron-rule” approach to cumulative impact zones (CIZs) after helping Sainsbury’s win a court appeal against a refusal of a premises licence.

Clapham bars fear Lambeth Council EMRO will force closure

25-Oct-2013 By Noli Dinkovski

Bars on one road in Clapham have warned they face closure if an early morning restriction order (EMRO) proposed by Lambeth Council becomes a reality.

Detail needed on Government personal licence plans

25-Oct-2013 By Poppleston Allen

Licensing specialists Poppleston Allen examine three aspects of the government proposals on personal licences.

Warning for licensees over 10-fold increase in premises licence fees

23-Oct-2013 By John Harrington and Michelle Perrett

Operators should prepare for 10-fold increases in premises licence fees, a leading sector lobbyist has warned.

Warrington rejects EMRO; Woking rejects EMRO and late-night levy

16-Oct-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

Warrington Council has voted against the introduction of an early morning restriction order (EMRO) and Woking councillors have rejected plans to introduce either an EMRO or a late-night levy.

Top tips on conducting your own licence inspection

04-Oct-2013 By Poppleston Allen

Licensees should continually review, update and make use of their venue policies. However, it is surprising how many operators fail to conduct basic in-house licensing inspections. Such regular checks could help you avoid the costly effects of a review...

Legal checklist: Showing films at your pub

03-Oct-2013 By Poppleston Allen

One way to maximise profits it to provide entertainment at your premises. If you don’t want to go down the route of using live bands, then showing films at your premises is a good alternative, which can appeal to a wide range of customers. Here is a legal...

Police accuse Staffordshire pubs over cocaine use

03-Oct-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

Hundreds of pubs in Staffordshire have tested positive for traces of cocaine over the past two years, according to police.

Milton Keynes next for late-night levy

19-Sep-2013 By John Harrington

Milton Keynes is set to be the next area to implement a late-night levy.

Manchester landlord nets £7,100 after 'Draconian' licensing review

13-Sep-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

A Manchester licensee has received more than £7,000 in costs after procedural and technical failings were found to have taken place during his licence review hearing.

Government proposes to abolish personal licences

12-Sep-2013 By Gurjit Degun

The pub trade could see the end of personal licences as the Government has launched a consultation asking whether such licences should be abolished.

Pulling together for charity - despite EHO objections

11-Sep-2013 By Jonathan Smith

We live in a world that is changing continuously; people have less time and more commitments and not necessarily to each other. I have a great deal of admiration for people who put themselves out on a limb to help others and recently have been reminded...

Industry criticises City of London's late-night levy proposal

10-Sep-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

Industry figures have spoken out against the City of London Corporation’s proposal for a late night levy, demanding further research must be undertaken and warning that a fee may undermine existing licensing policy.

Top 10 myths about apprenticeships in licensed retail

06-Sep-2013 By Rachael Fidler

The myths surrounding the employment of apprentices in the licenced retail trade have only served to deter owners/operators of licenced premises from tapping into a hugely beneficial talent pipeline that could be available to them. Training provider HTP...

High street review calls for levy and 2015 business rates revaluation

04-Sep-2013 By Gurjit Degun

A new report into the future of high streets has called for a one-off levy for businesses, and for the Government to reintroduce the 2015 business rates revaluation.

Trade consultant warns of police 'over-stepping the mark' during ‘week of action'

04-Sep-2013 By Gurjit Degun

A leading pub trade consultant has warned of some police forces “over-stepping the mark” during the up-coming ‘week of action’ on licensing and alcohol related harm.

Police week of action: Top tips on complying with licence conditions

02-Sep-2013 By Poppleston Allen

The Association of Chief Police Officers will be holding its annual ‘week of action’ from 16-22 September. A number of forces have confirmed they will be carrying out test purchasing, SIA checks and monitor compliance with licence conditions. Follow our...

Why a late-night levy is wrong for Newcastle

02-Sep-2013 By Tony Brookes

Tony Brookes, managing director of multiple operator The Head of Steam, takes aim at Newcastle council's decision to introduce a late-night levy on pubs and bars in the city.

Milton Keynes rejects late-night levy

29-Aug-2013 By Gurjit Degun

Pubs, clubs and bars in Milton Keynes may not be subject to paying a late-night levy, after the licensing sub-committee recommended that such a fee should not be adopted.

Legal Q&A: Accidents inside your pub

22-Aug-2013 By Weightmans

Where do you stand if a customer injures themselves in your pub? In the latest in a series of articles on insurance and legal issues, law firm Weightmans provides the answers.