Stonegate has become the first of the pub companies operating within the pubs code to admit non-compliance over rent reviews when combined with a retail price index (RPI) linked rent assessment.
Over the recent months I have noticed an increase in both industry and local/national media reports regarding gaming machines in pubs and test purchasing, especially post Covid.
“No one should have to go what we went through,” says Kwame Otiende. The licensee had to cash out more than £15,000 on legal fees, acoustic tests, sound proofing and construction after his pub – the Jago, Hackney – was slapped with a noise abatement notice...
By Natasha Beck, associate solicitor, Poppleston Allen
With the weather hopefully improving and the lighter nights coming it is likely that operators will be looking to maximise the use of any external space that they may have at the premises.
Following on from recent and highly publicised reviews involving Brixton Academy and Crane Night Club in Birmingham, it seemed like an appropriate time to issue a reminder on the pitfalls and processes involved in facing a review of your premises licence....
By Alex Tomlinson, trainee solicitor, Poppleston Allen
The Six Nations tournament according to a study by Fanzo, is the second most popular sporting event to watch at the pub, with only the World Cup being viewed more.
By Alex Tomlinson, trainee solicitor, Poppleston Allen
With a view to stepping up the UK’s resilience to terrorism, the Government recently announced details for the Protect Duty, to be known as 'Martyn’s Law' in tribute of Martyn Hett, who alongside 21 others died in the Manchester Area terrorist...
One of the things learned from talking to stakeholders in developing the pubs code adjudicator’s (PCA) three-year strategy is that people still have different expectations of the PCA.
Of all the articles our licensing solicitors write for The Morning Advertiser each year, there is one topic that gets more feedback and interest than any other – under-18s in pubs.
It is undeniable that home delivery is booming. However, the convenience of shopping without leaving the sofa means that you have to work harder to get customers through their (and your) door.
By Joseph Harvey, associate solicitor, Poppleston Allen
As I drove into the office one foggy November morning and the rain gently drizzled on to my windscreen, Michael Bublé insisted to me via my radio that it was Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas.
Christmas train strikes will go ahead after the RMT union rejected an initial offer by the group representing train companies, a decision that has come under fire from trade bodies.
By Natasha Beck, associate solicitor, Poppleston Allen
The THINK! ‘Mates for Life’ drink drive campaign has recently relaunched again recently with the aim of encouraging friends to intervene if someone is attempting to drink and drive, with the message ‘A mate doesn’t let a mate drink and drive.’
Licensing solicitors Poppleston Allen have warned pubs that football fans who throw pints when the on-screen action gets exciting could be committing assault.
The Government has published the long-awaited follow-up to the House of Lords Liaison Committee publication ‘The Licensing Act 2003: post-legislative scrutiny’, but it has been dubbed “extremely disappointing”.
Thinking of employing your 17-year-old daughter to work behind the bar? Short staffed to such an extent that you need to think about the children of some of your friends helping out in the restaurant? With the well-publicised difficulty in recruiting...
I attended the London Property Forum last week which had three principal speakers and a panel to discuss issues relevant to the trade; two of the speakers were from late-night businesses, operators of cocktail bars and nightclubs respectively, and the...
A London pub favoured by Animal Farm author George Orwell has reportedly retained its licence following complaints from nearby residents claiming the venue posed a health hazard and was a public nuisance.
The UK’s Night-Time Economy (NTE) has been “under attack” as escalation of noise complaints becomes a “real issue”, according to the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA).
We have seen the casual dining market evolve considerably over the last few years with a number of high profile restaurant chains struggling to survive since Covid and some entering company voluntary arrangements (CVAs) in an effort to off-load under-performing...
By Andy Grimsey, senior consultant solicitor, Poppleston Allen
It was shocking although not surprising to hear insolvencies for pubs, restaurants and bars were up 59% on last year, as reported recently in The Morning Advertiser.
Nottingham’s late-night levy has been removed to “reduce the burden” on operators and remove costs that could be a barrier to incoming and expanding businesses.
By Suraj Desor, associate solicitor, Poppleston Allen
With the Football World Cup fast approaching, whilst the competition presents lots of opportunities for licensees – which is very welcome - there are some potential pitfalls that they need to be aware of to ensure a safe and enforcement-free tournament..
With the pandemic now fading somewhat into the background, a whole new series of challenges seem to be making life as difficult as possible for operators.
A member for Islington South & Finsbury council has defended George Orwell’s ‘perfect pub’ the Compton Arms, north London, which faced threat of closure after residents complained.
A trio of Scottish trade bodies have called on the Government to include pubs from current planning proposals with one labelling the exclusion as "nothing short of discriminatory".
The Government’s decision this month to extend the temporary provision for quicker and cheaper pavement licences for hospitality businesses was a nugget of good news among the current headlines.
“Vital” fast track pavement licences have been confirmed to be become a permanent fixture, the Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities has revealed.
I was grateful for the opportunity to appear before a parliamentary select committee this week, to give evidence about the progress of the pubs code in bringing fairness to the tied relationship in the regulated pub trade.
The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has welcomed the Government’s move to allow hospitality sites to continue selling alcoholic drinks to be consumed outside their premises.
By Alex Tomlinson, trainee solicitor, Poppleston Allen
British summertime has well and truly arrived and beer gardens across the country are back in full swing, with Covid restrictions now a distant memory.
By Suraj Desor, associate solicitor at Poppleston Allen
With the news that Nottingham City Council is considering removing the late-night levy that is currently in place, 10 years on from its introduction, how has it fared and what next for the levy?
