Licensing Law

Tameside begins late-night levy consultation

20-Aug-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

Pubs, bars and clubs in Tameside may be subject to a late-night levy as the local council is consulting on whether to introduce the fee.

Blackpool licensees support enquiry into 'compromised' EMRO consultation

20-Aug-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

Blackpool licensees have praised a leading councillor’s enquiry into the practices of an early morning restriction order (EMRO) consultation after he claimed council staff were “colluding” with the police.

Everards working with police after Leicester pub receives abusive phone calls

19-Aug-2013 By Michelle Perrett

Everards, the Leicestershire brewer and pubco, is working closely with police as false claims on a blog forced one of its pubs to close after a raft of threatening and abusive phone calls.

York begins consultation on late-night levy

08-Aug-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

York City Council has launched a consultation on whether to introduce a late-night levy in the city centre.

Legal checklist: Violence at work

05-Aug-2013 By Pat Perry

Violence at work is very much a health and safety issue. If your employees are in danger of experiencing violence whilst at work, you have a duty of care as their employer to reduce the risks as far as is reasonably practicable. Our guide details the...

Blackpool Council leader says EMRO would only affect two nightclubs

02-Aug-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

The leader of Blackpool Council has said the introduction of an early morning restriction order (EMRO) would only “lead to two nightclubs closing a couple of hours earlier” in the town, despite an influx of responses from the pub industry condemning the...

Councillor resigns over local authority licensing bias

30-Jul-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

A Polegate councillor and ex-licensee has resigned over bias within local authorities, 10 years after the Licensing Act was passed.

Swansea pubs favour proposed licence restriction policy

30-Jul-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

Licensees in Swansea have welcomed the opportunity to discuss a potential policy to curb new pub and club licences in the city centre.

Crime at the lowest level since statistics began

29-Jul-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

Crime is at its lowest level since records began with public order offences – most often associated with alcohol related crime and disorder – seeing the biggest drop, the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics have revealed.

Trade urges rethink over Blackpool council's EMRO plans

29-Jul-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

The pub trade has urged Blackpool council to rethink its plans for an early morning restriction order (EMRO), saying it will “devastate” the town’s tourism economy and create a “flashpoint” for violence.

New tribunal rules call for robust disciplinary procedures

26-Jul-2013 By Poppleston Allen

Once again it seems that in an effort to simplify matters the Government might in fact complicate them, this time in employment tribunals where proposals to introduce a controversial fee system may cause more headaches than they cure. Poppleston Allen...

Plymouth police set to ban glassware in pubs to tackle crime

23-Jul-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

Glass bottles and traditional glasses are to be banned from pubs and bars in Plymouth city centre to stamp out late night violent crime.

Legal checklist: Top tips on avoiding slips, trips and falls

22-Jul-2013 By Pat Perry

As an employer and business owner, you must manage and control hazards in your workplace, assessing the likelihood of slips, trips and falls and put in place measures to reduce the potential for injuries. Pat Perry from health and safety consultants Perry...

Legal Q&A: Accidents outside your pub

22-Jul-2013 By Weightmans

Where do you stand if a passer-by injures themselves by tripping over a table outside your pub? In the first of a series of articles on insurance and legal issues, law firm Weightmans provides the answers.

Legal checklist: Employee sickness absence

16-Jul-2013 By Poppleston Allen

The good weather is most welcome, but creates particular issues for employers. It is generally true that the hottest days of the year are the days when the highest number of people are absent from work due to 'sickies'. Here are some pointers...

Councils urge Government to 'move quickly' over locally-set licence fees

10-Jul-2013 By John Harrington

Councils have urged the Government to move quickly to let local authorities set their own licence fee levels for pubs, clubs and shops, saying that current rates are leaving them £1.5m short each month.

Newcastle reveals discount plan for late-night levy pubs

10-Jul-2013 By Noli Dinkovski

Pubs and clubs subject to Newcastle’s proposed late-night levy (LNL) will receive a 30% discount if they sign up to a best-practice scheme currently being set up by the council.

Sutton police appeal Wonderland licence review decision

09-Jul-2013 By Gurjit Degun

The Metropolitan Police have appealed a licence review decision against late-night venue in which the licensing authority accused officers of presenting “slanted” evidence.

CCTV: Is there a 'pressing need' for cameras at your pub?

08-Jul-2013 By Poppleston Allen

Following concerns raised by the Information Commissioner’s Office and after a detailed consultation process, the Home Office published the new Surveillance Camera Code of Practice in June. Licensing law firm Poppleston Allen takes a closer look.

Northamptonshire police to work with pubs to reduce alcohol-related crime

05-Jul-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

Northamptonshire police have launched a specialised team to work alongside licensees in a bid to tackle alcohol-related crime.

Brighton introduces direct debit scheme to help pubs pay licence fees

05-Jul-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

Brighton & Hove City Council has introduced a direct debit scheme for licensees to pay their annual licence fees.

Newcastle's late-night levy decision stinks of short-termism

04-Jul-2013 By Mike Berry

It was only a matter of time. Newcastle City Council has become the first local authority to cross the Rubicon and introduce a late-night levy (LNL) — an additional tax that could have a significant impact on late-night bars, pubs and nightclubs in the...

Trade condemns Newcastle's late-night levy approval

03-Jul-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

Newcastle City Council’s decision to introduce a late-night levy has provoked fears that it will give other councils the green light and force small operators out of business.

Met Police officers accused of presenting 'slanted' evidence in licence review hearing

28-Jun-2013 By Gurjit Degun

Officers in the Metropolitan Police have been accused of presenting “unsatisfactory” and “slanted” evidence in a licence review hearing.

Annual premises licence fees: some good news

27-Jun-2013 By Poppleston Allen

Some good news for a change — a recent decision by the Court of Appeal may result in reduced annual premises licence fees.

Milton Keynes defers late-night levy

27-Jun-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

Milton Keynes Council has deferred making a decision over whether to introduce a late-night levy.

Licence fees regulations are unlawful, says leading licensing barrister

27-Jun-2013 By Gurjit Degun

The regulations governing fees for premises and personal licences are unlawful — according to leading licensing barrister Philip Kolvin QC.

Legal guide: Pubs and drugs

26-Jun-2013 By Poppleston Allen

Pubs open their doors and welcome people in but, unfortunately, some of those passing through will be carrying drugs. Illegal drugs are a danger to your premises licence and reputation. Our legal guide will help identify the issues involved.

Legal checklist: Using pubs' outdoor areas

21-Jun-2013 By Poppleston Allen

Warm weather is generally greeted with open arms by pub operators, especially those fortunate enough to have a pleasant and usable external space. This presents a clear opportunity for licensees to really make the most of them. Here are some pointers...

Northampton Council rejects EMRO due to fear of job losses

20-Jun-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

Northampton Borough Council has rejected plans to introduce an early morning restriction order (EMRO) in the town centre due to the financial impact on licensees and potential job losses.

Legal checklist: Betting activity in pubs

18-Jun-2013 By Poppleston Allen

The recent introduction of changes to planning laws aims to give businesses greater flexibility to adapt to changing business needs; however, the changes have led to some incorrect reports that licensees are now able to allow betting in their pubs and...

Top tips for displaying your premises licence

07-Jun-2013 By Poppleston Allen

Is a summary of your premises licence or a certified copy of that summary prominently displayed in your premises? Or is it hidden behind a plant or a fire extinguisher? Perhaps not displayed at all? If you answered yes to either of the last two examples,...

Will high-street revival pop up?

04-Jun-2013 By Jonathan Smith

Let's hope licensing authorities embrace the Government’s spirit of flexibility in supporting new high-street businesses, says Jonathan Smith at Poppleston Allen.

Trade welcomes Westminster City Council licensing fee judgment

03-Jun-2013 By Noli Dinkovski and Helen Gilbert

Industry leaders have welcomed news of the ruling which could limit the scope of licensing fees.

Legal checklist: Compiling a licensing file

03-Jun-2013 By Poppleston Allen

One way to limit the severity of any action taken against a licensed premises is for an operator to put together a ‘licensing file’, which can be presented to the authorities, licensing committee, or - if necessary - to the courts. Our checklist identifies...

Doorstaff can now apply for Security Industry Authority licence via the Post Office

03-Jun-2013 By Noli Dinkovski

Doorstaff will soon find it much easier to apply for their Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence after a deal was struck to allow online applications to be verified in Post Offices.

Premises licence reviews can be a bumpy ride

27-May-2013 By Lisa Sharkey

Facing a review of your premises licence can be like stepping on to a roller coaster at a theme park — you have that feeling in your stomach that the experience you are about to face may be unpleasant but, as you slowly move up that first hill, you realise...

6 obligations for personal licence holders

24-May-2013 By Poppleston Allen

Once your personal licence has been granted, you should not simply file it under “remember to do something with me in 10 years”. If you are working in the licensed trade and involved in the sale of alcohol, you must comply with certain obligations that...

The inside track on Hartlepool council's EMRO rejection

17-May-2013 By Poppleston Allen

I write this piece having just attended the hearing for an early morning restriction order (EMRO) at Hartlepool Borough Council. This hearing really was important — it was the first EMRO proposal that has undergone a formal consultation process.

Bristol City Council to consider EMRO and late-night levy

17-May-2013 By Gurjit Degun

Pubs in Bristol are the latest in a string of areas to be threatened with restrictions for opening hours.

Blackpool pubwatch: EMRO will lead to breakdown of relationship between trade and authorities

17-May-2013 By Gurjit Degun

Blackpool’s pubwatch chair has said that restricting pub opening hours in the city could lead to a break down in the relationship between the trade, police and council.

Legal checklist: Licensed premises plan

13-May-2013 By Poppleston Allen

When was the last time you looked at the plan of your premises attached to your licence? Remember that the plan forms part of that licence, and certain prescribed elements always have to be shown on that plan. If you change the location of those prescribed...

Pubs warned they risk losing licence over betting facilities

09-May-2013 By Noli Dinkovski

Pubs that offer betting facilities have been warned that they are at risk of losing their licences after 13 outlets in Wales were implicated in an investigation into illegal bookmaker activity.

The impact of deregulation

08-May-2013 By Jonathan Smith

It always makes me laugh when I come out of the school nativity play and the donation buckets rattle at the exit door, with the vast majority of parents either ambivalent towards the collectors or simply too mean to contribute to the collection for more...

Hartlepool Borough Council rejects EMRO

07-May-2013 By Gurjit Degun

Hartlepool Borough Council has rejected plans to introduce an early morning restriction order (EMRO) in the town centre.

Legal checklist: Pub notices on display

03-May-2013 By Poppleston Allen

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.

York latest council to consider late-night levy

02-May-2013 By Gurjit Degun

Pubs in York could see the introduction of a late-night levy, as cabinet members at the City Council have been asked permission to begin a consultation.

Report calls for licensing clarity in London's West End

02-May-2013 By Mark Wingett

The licensing policy for London’s West End should make a clear distinction between venues that trade in the “evening” - until about midnight – and late-night drinking outlets, and give more flexibility around licence conditions to the former.

Legal guide: How summary reviews work

29-Apr-2013 By Poppleston Allen

Serious crime and/or serious disorder associated with a premises is the catalyst for a summary (expedited) review. This type of review only applies where the premises licence authorises the sale of alcohol.

Cumulative Impact Policies: More a Malteser than a Mars bar

29-Apr-2013 By Poppleston Allen

If somebody offers you a Mars bar the choice is quite simple — you either take it or you don’t. If, however, you are offered a Mars bar, a Twix and a Double Decker then the decision becomes more subtle — you may quite possibly forget that you don’t have...