Licensing Law

Warning over Police and Crime Commissioners 'politicising' licensing

23-Apr-2013 By Gurjit Degun

CPL Training’s head of compliance Paul Chase has voiced concerns that Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC) will politicise policing of licensing.

Pressure group Common Sense Alliance launches campaign against late-night levy

23-Apr-2013 By John Harrington

A pressure group featuring high-profile figures from the worlds of policing, media, business and the licensed trade in particular has launched a campaign against the late-night levy.

A nightmare tale of over-zealous enforcement

23-Apr-2013 By Poppleston Allen

I thought it would be useful to tell you about what can happen when there is a serious incident at a licensed premises and how difficult it can be to re-establish the former trading position. You may not be able to rely on the much-vaunted ‘partnership...

Licensing firm urges publicans to respond to EMRO or late-night levy consultations

22-Apr-2013 By Gurjit Degun

Licensees and pub companies must respond to any consultations that their local authority introduces on restricting pub hours before it’s too late - that’s the advice from licensing law firm John Gaunt & Partners.

Majority of local authorities shun EMROs and late-night levies

12-Apr-2013 By John Harrington

More than three quarters of local authorities have ruled out introducing either an early morning restriction order (EMRO) or a late night levy (LNL) in the near future, while just 1% say they plan to introduce either measure, according to a survey of...

Security director found guilty of using an unlicensed member of doorstaff

12-Apr-2013 By Jordan Chamberlain

A Buckinghamshire-based security director has been found guilty for deploying an unlicensed security operative, against previous Security Industry Authority (SIA) guidance.

Gaming machines, licensing authorities and pub visits

11-Apr-2013 By Poppleston Allen

The statisticians have been hard at work on behalf of the Gambling Commission with interesting results (honestly!) for the licensed trade. The commission recently published the licensing authorities’ statistics up to 31 March 2012, which include details...

Leeds City Council considers late night levy

10-Apr-2013 By Michelle Perrett

Leeds City Council is the latest local authority to consider the introduction of a late night levy.

Police, pre-loading and EMROs

10-Apr-2013 By Jonathan Smith

In a previous column my fellow partner James Anderson wrote a piece on “The demonisation of alcohol”, concentrating on underage drinking. I would like to consider its demonisation in terms of the levels of alcohol consumption and some of the grounds for...

Legal checklist: Avoiding underage sales

08-Apr-2013 By Poppleston Allen

While the code of practice on age-restricted products encourages regulators to give advice in clear, accessible language and work in partnership with operators, there is still plenty more pubs can do to avoid the pitfalls of selling to underage customers.

Legal checklist: Dealing with a serious incident

03-Apr-2013 By Poppleston Allen

Whether you operate a quiet country pub or a busy night-time bar, sadly there is always the risk that a serious violent incident might occur at your premises. Let’s hope it never happens, but having dealt with many such situations in the past, here are...

Blackpool Council delays EMRO decision after meeting with publicans

28-Mar-2013 By Gurjit Degun

Blackpool Council has delayed its decision to introduce a measure that will see late-night venues face a 3am curfew on alcohol sales.

Late-night levy: Lawyers provide new views on change of hours

26-Mar-2013 By Gurjit Degun

Licensing lawyers have disputed claims that if a late-night levy is introduced in an area, publicans could opt to change hours only whilst the levy is in force.

West London club has licence revoked after series of crimes

22-Mar-2013 By Gurjit Degun

The Tune Inn in Acton, west London, has had its premises licence revoked after a drunken assaults, thefts and other crimes took place at the club.

Are premises licences worth it?

21-Mar-2013 By Poppleston Allen

What is the true value of your premises licence? Do you really need one and what are the risks of maintaining one?

EMROs can have a positive impact for pubs, claims leading police officer

20-Mar-2013

Early morning restriction orders (EMROs) can have a “positive impact” for licensees, according to the Association of Chief Police Officers’ (ACPO) head of alcohol licensing.

Legal checklist: Appointing a DPS

20-Mar-2013 By Poppleston Allen

While many of you will already have undertaken the appointment of a designated premises supervisor (DPS), the importance of the role can often be forgotten, with potentially damaging consequences.

Late-night levy and EMROs: Council consultations

18-Mar-2013 By Poppleston Allen

The skies are a little darker over some parts of England this week, and I hope that these ominous clouds are not a portent for a more widespread storm.

Underage drinking and the demonisation of alcohol

13-Mar-2013 By James Anderson

I wanted to write a piece about underage drinking and I should say at the outset that these views are my own and they will be controversial, but I do believe that debate is good and vive la difference! writes James Anderson, partner.

London Borough Councils urged to limit off-licences to save pubs

11-Mar-2013 By Michelle Perrett

A Conservative member of the London Assembly Steve O’Connell has called for borough councils to adopt stringent criteria when considering the redevelopment or demolition of pubs.

Get Licensed responds to training malpractice concerns

11-Mar-2013 By Michelle Perrett

Get Licensed has responded to training malpractice concerns, revealed in the PMA last week.

SIA licence holders may have to retrain after investigation finds malpractice among trainers

08-Mar-2013 By Gurjit Degun

Publicans and door staff with a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence may have to retrain after an awarding body has withdrawn more than 1,000 certificates.

Legal guide: applying for a personal licence

07-Mar-2013 By Poppleston Allen

Licensing law firm Poppleston Allen offers a step-by-step guide on how to apply for a personal licence to sell alcohol from a licensed premises.

Pubs should be wary of growing local authority power

05-Mar-2013 By Poppleston Allen

The Local Government Association (LGA) and Alcohol Research UK recently co-authored a document entitled Public Health and Alcohol Licensing in England, essentially a briefing note for councillors and council officers, highlighting the fact that public...

ALMR to issue "robust responses" to local council consultations on late-night levy and EMROs

05-Mar-2013 By Adam Pescod

The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) has reiterated its intention to fight any local authorities considering a late-night levy or early morning restriction order (EMRO).

Gaming machine permissions: a legal guide for pubs

28-Feb-2013 By Poppleston Allen

Visits to licensed premises by some licensing authorities over the past year have highlighted the fact that a surprising number of publicans do not have the correct permissions for their gaming machines.

Pubs and clubs in Milton Keynes face late-night levy

26-Feb-2013 By Adam Pescod

Pubs and clubs in Milton Keynes are facing a late-night levy after the town’s deputy police commander urged councillors in the town to introduce the measure.

Pub premises licences: advantages of a minor variation

21-Feb-2013 By Poppleston Allen

It’s often tempting to only consider making an application to vary your premises licence when you want to extend your hours or add a new licensable activity.

Pub consultant urges MPs and police chiefs to adopt Australian approach to alcohol abuse

21-Feb-2013 By Adam Pescod

A pub-trade consultant has urged police chiefs and MPs to use the example of New South Wales (NSW), Australia, when tackling UK problems of alcohol abuse.

WSTA warns that minimum pricing will encourage crime and harm consumers and businesses

20-Feb-2013 By Adam Pescod

Minimum alcohol pricing could lead to a rise in crime and damage the UK economy and health of consumers, the Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has warned.

Late-night levy: lawyers warn pubs over change of trading hours

20-Feb-2013 By Gurjit Degun

Licensees who opt to apply for fewer trading hours when a late-night levy is introduced in their area should make sure that the change is only in place while the levy is in force.

Outdoor seating: overcoming the complex application process

15-Feb-2013 By Poppleston Allen

Any licensee who has applied for a pavement licence or temporary tables and chairs licence will no doubt be well aware of the often complicated process that is involved.

Legal tips: how to spot counterfeit alcohol

12-Feb-2013 By Poppleston Allen

Many readers of the PMA will be aware of the dangers of selling counterfeit alcohol and already have systems in place to address this issue. This is a salutary reminder of the risks faced if counterfeit alcohol is found, sold or consumed on licensed premises.

Legal checklist: Guidelines for operating CCTV

08-Feb-2013 By Poppleston Allen

Increasingly, we are being called to give advice about the licensee’s responsibilities regarding CCTV. Police and other regulatory agencies will want to have conditions on your premises licence that require you:

Islington reviews plans for late-night levy

07-Feb-2013 By Adam Pescod

Islington Council is reviewing proposals for a late-night levy after it emerged that not all of the money raised for policing will end up in the borough.

Entertainment deregulation: the year ahead

05-Feb-2013 By Poppleston Allen

Of all the legal predictions we’ve made I didn’t expect one of them to be that regulated entertainment was going to become both easier and more difficult by the end of 2013.

Locally-set licensing fees expected summer 2013

05-Feb-2013 By Adam Pescod

The Government “will shortly consult” on regulations for locally-set licensing fees with introduction expected in the summer, the Home Office has confirmed.

Northampton pubs face possible EMRO

04-Feb-2013 By Adam Pescod

Northampton Borough Council is to consider whether an early morning restriction order (EMRO) could help tackle the “problems associated with late night drinking” in the town.

Legal checklist: Changing your address

01-Feb-2013 By Poppleston Allen

I know from experience that, when moving house, there is a long list of people who need to know your new address; it is important to remember to add to that list the local authority that issued your premises licence or personal licence.

Employment: a thorny issue

29-Jan-2013 By Poppleston Allen

You may have seen the news articles about a former lap dancer and her claim against Stringfellows for unfair dismissal. The matter began in April 2012 when an employment tribunal decided she could not bring the claim as she was not an employee.

Legal checklist: Planning for alfresco drinking and dining

28-Jan-2013 By Poppleston Allen

Fancy a bit of alfresco drinking and dining in January? Perhaps not, but if you are planning on putting some tables and chairs outside when the sun shines again, it’s actually not too early to start thinking about what permissions you may need to apply...

Morning Advertiser

Useful links