Legal

Premises licence to bring conflict

09-Dec-2002

Lawyers have spoken out against the new licensing reforms, claiming that pub companies could be left in the lurch by disgruntled licensees.The new...

Partner as joint licensee

05-Dec-2002

QThe police round here are refusing to accept a husband or wife as joint licensee. They say it must be a person who is unrelated. Is this right and...

Thanks to the Minister

05-Dec-2002

True to his word Nick Raynsford, MP, Secretary of State for Local Government, has listened to the National Parliamentary Commit-tee and the Guild of...

Lords question licensing control move

05-Dec-2002

A Lords debate over the shift of licensing control to local authorities could force the government to clear up some major trade concerns before...

Drinks industry blamed for binge-drinking and health problems

05-Dec-2002

The drinks industry is under fire yet again - this time being blamed for regional health problems and binge-drinking.A leading health expert last...

Next week in the Moses Room in the House of Lords, peers of

05-Dec-2002

If the recent debate on the second reading of the Bill in the Lords is any guide, it is already clear that the "Kill the Bill" campaign is itself...

Major cracksin Licensing Bill

05-Dec-2002

by Andrew Pring Major flaws in the new Licensing Bill that could impact badly on the licensed trade emerged at an IBC conference in London this week....

The only pub in the village of Tunstall, near Woodbridge, Su

05-Dec-2002

The Green Man was sold through Christie & Co by Sue and Ken Wren. The purchasers are Deborah and Dudley Naslund, whose daughter, Jackie, and...

What they said in the Lords duringlast week's second reading

05-Dec-2002

Baroness Blackstone: Modern laws are required to ensure people enjoy their leisure time while being adequately protected, without fear of violence,...

Unfair cost of splitting hours bids

05-Dec-2002

In many parts of the country, LVAs have reached an arrangement with the magistrates for a block granting of holiday extensions. This saves both time...

Fierce opposition to nuisance tax

05-Dec-2002

The licensed trade is implacably opposed to the controversial "nuisance tax" scheme launched by Middlesbrough Council in a bid to limit the growth of...

The Licensing Bill: Transitional measures

04-Dec-2002

Further explanation of the government's Licensing Billby Richard Williams of thePublican.com's legal team of experts from London solicitors Joelson...

Norway's proposed smoking ban a 'timely reminder' for UK pubs

04-Dec-2002

Norway is set to become the first country in the world to ban smoking from all indoor public places, including bars.The bill proposed by the...

Licensing Bill concerns

02-Dec-2002

by David Clifton of thePublican.com's legal team of experts from London solicitors Joelson WilsonThe dust is beginning to settle following the...

Sunderland nightlife set for boom

29-Nov-2002

Sunderland's nightlife looks set to undergo the biggest boom in the North, with 10 new bars and nightclubs - worth an estimated £15m - on the...

Counterfeit warning

28-Nov-2002

Surrey County Council trading standards are repeating a warning for licensees to look out for counterfeit bottles of Johnnie Walker which can cause...

Freemans at helm as George is snapped up

28-Nov-2002

Not only did North Bucks pub the George Inn change hands quickly, but the sale marked something of a milestone. The George Inn was sold for an...

Brown's blow to duty cut

28-Nov-2002

The trade was disappointed yesterday after Chancellor Gordon Brown failed to outline plans for a duty cut in next March's Budget. Many licensees and...

House of Lords raises concerns over reform bill details

28-Nov-2002

The House of Lords has welcomed the decision to allow pubs to open longer but has raised grave concerns over details in the Licensing Bill.On the...

'Average' pub costs £390,000

28-Nov-2002

Pub values have risen again this year with freehold prices up five per cent, according to the latest annual survey from licensed property agent...

Council control under spotlight

28-Nov-2002

The way local authorities handle their new licensing powers formed a central plank of the day-long BISL conference. Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell...

Dundee code

28-Nov-2002

Dundee Licensing Board is considering a code of practice for all licensees to tackle the contentious issue of minimum pricing, and seek to control...

Divided you fall, warns Jowell

28-Nov-2002

by Mike Bennett Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has issued a dramatic "unite or die" rallying call to the industry in her first major speech since the...

Hosts linked to yobs may lose licence

28-Nov-2002

Licensees in Tamworth, Staffordshire, have been warned they could lose their licences if troublemakers can be linked to their pubs. Police are...

Hosts face a shake-up with new disability law

28-Nov-2002

by Tony Halstead Licensees could be ordered to make major structural alterations to pub interiors to provide better pro-vision for disabled...

Host's dress code keeps out family

28-Nov-2002

A licensee has banned members of his own family from his pub after introducing a strict dress code. Peter Atwell, who has just taken over the...

Opportunity would be no act of Folly

28-Nov-2002

North Bucks country inn theFolly which takes its name from the failed venture of a former landlord is on the market. When a new landlord...

Silence of the bands

26-Nov-2002

A new European ruling restricting the level of noise could mean the end of live music in pubs. Jackie Annett examines the arguments for and...

Constructive dismissal: a legal point of view

26-Nov-2002

by David Clifton of thePublican.com's legal team of experts from London solicitors Joelson WilsonLet's take a look at a situation that can often...

Smoke-free areas are not harming custom says survey

22-Nov-2002

Smoke-free areas in pubs will not harm trade, according to a new report. The results of a survey of more than 400 hospitality businesses, published...

Pubs could be forced to shut earlier under new licensing laws

22-Nov-2002

Leading licensing lawyers have warned that pubs could be forced to shut earlier rather than open later under licensing reform.Steven Reynolds and...

Licensing reform to bring rising pub prices

22-Nov-2002

Prices of existing pubs could skyrocket if government proposals to give local authorities control of licensing are given the thumbs up in...

Pitcher and Piano fined for allowing drinkers to move 'rhythmically'

21-Nov-2002

Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries (W&DB), owner of high street chain Pitcher & Piano, was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay £1,600 costs...

Public blow to smoking charter

20-Nov-2002

The trade's success in self-regulating on smoking could hit a major snag due to a lack of public awareness.A consumer survey of smoking policies...

Local councils claim relaxed opening hours will lead to more crime and disorder

19-Nov-2002

Local councils have spoken out against the proposed relaxation of licensing hours claiming that it will lead to increased costs and more crime and...

Increase in duty continues to stifle PPS category

19-Nov-2002

The extra tax burden imposed by Gordon Brown earlier this year is continuing to stifle expansion of the premium packaged spirits category according...

Large chains look at pub leasebacks

19-Nov-2002

Pub companies which want to raise funds and reduce debt are increasingly getting involved in sale and leaseback property deals.The trend sees...

Public Entertainment Licence charge scrapped

19-Nov-2002

Pubs will no longer pay the controversial charge for a Public Entertainment Licence (PEL) under changes planned in the Licensing Bill.The PEL has...

Kim Howells comments on licensing reform bill

15-Nov-2002

Kim Howells on...The effect of the bill on licensees:"Life will be made easier for licence holders and premises managers. A huge amount of...

Council silenced

14-Nov-2002

by battling host by Tony Halstead A North Shields licensee has won a spectacular victory over his local authority, which tried to impose unreasonable...

Focus on reform

14-Nov-2002

The government has finally told the trade and pub-goers what they want to hear - licensing laws will be reformed, paving the way for pubs to open...

UK fear as Irish smoking ban comes into force

14-Nov-2002

Smoking is to be banned in pubs in the Irish Republic when food is being served, and is also to be outlawed in restaurants.The fear is the new law...

The changes new licensing laws will bring and when

14-Nov-2002

Changes to comeCurrently all pubs are required to shut at 11pm and would need to have a licence for music or food in order to serve alcohol any...

Reaction from the industry to licensing reform announcement

14-Nov-2002

As the government confirmed its plans to make the biggest change in licensing laws for 90 years, key industry figures offer their reactions.Nick...

Public opinion on announcement of relaxed licensing laws

14-Nov-2002

We take to the streets to see how the general public are reacting to yesterday's licensing reform announcement.Julian Artis, owner of a record store...

Glasgow considers happy hour ban

13-Nov-2002

Glasgow Council is the latest council to consider introducing a ban on price promotions and happy hours for licensees in the city. Many local...

Licensing reform announced in Queen's Speech

13-Nov-2002

Pub goers will be able to have a drink in a pub after 11pm for the first time since the first world war. During the Queen's Speech today (November...

Profile: Druce Hotels and Leisure. Managing director Graham Jackson and director Nick Hodgson

12-Nov-2002

Michelle Perrett talks to Druce Hotels and Leisure's managing director Graham Jackson and director Nick Hodgson.Do you think that the prices of...

Pubcos looking to raise money quickly turn to selling at auction

08-Nov-2002

Pub companies wanting to off-load packages of pubs quickly are looking to the auctioneer. With the strike of the hammer the pub is sold and a price...