05-Dec-2008 By Peter Coulson
Although it takes the form of a licence, copyright in music still presents the trade with a thorny problem. It is not a simple licence with a fixed...
05-Dec-2008 By Peter Coulson
I was intrigued to read the comments of political journalist Adam Boulton recently on the thorny question of how Government departments treat the...
Tips are a taxing topic
01-Dec-2008
The Government has released its long-awaited consultation document regarding proposed changes to the way in which the hospitality industry treats...
27-Nov-2008 By Peter Coulson
Peter Coulson looks at the "requirement" that the designated premises supervisor (DPS) should give a written delegation to all staff allowing them to sell alcohol.
27-Nov-2008 By Peter Coulson
Local authorities all have computers so why no electronic handling of forms and applications, asks Peter Coulson.
24-Nov-2008 By Ewan Turney
Small businesses, such as pubs, which offer on-the-job training must be recognised with official accreditation, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).
20-Nov-2008 By Peter Coulson
Licensing law needs to address death differently and take a more compassionate stance, says Peter Coulson.
20-Nov-2008 By Peter Coulson
Minimum pricing by legislation could only work if all situations to which it applied were similar, says Peter Coulson.
20-Nov-2008 By John Harrington
BII Licensee of the Year Chris Lewis bemoans the return of cheap drinks deals at pubs and clubs, including all-inclusives
Adam Withrington: Read my lips. No more hack jobs!
20-Nov-2008
Here are two headlines:1. The Carnage continues: Another 1,000 students take part in a drink-fuelled bar crawl as police say they are powerless to...
Christmas decorations: Avoid disasters
17-Nov-2008
Due to their temporary nature decorations can increase the risk of accidents. So it is worthwhile having a simple checklist to keep possible hazards...
Chris Maclean: Terms of engagement
14-Nov-2008 By Chris Maclean
There are some evenings when this pub seems very surreal. This evening is one of them.Outside the heavens have opened and everything is awash. It...
14-Nov-2008 By John Harrington
Undergraduate membership offers benefits for those who haven't completed their NCPLH exam.
13-Nov-2008 By Peter Coulson
Peter Coulson hails the High Court decision to uphold Pubwatch bans and answers your questions.
13-Nov-2008 By Peter Coulson
this is undoubtedly the most difficult period for the pub trade within my own career — and theirs, says Peter Coulson.
Light of the Moon
13-Nov-2008
From paper bricks to waterless urinals one community pub is endeavouring to go green - benefiting the environment, but also lowering the business's...
National 'Scores on the Doors' scheme set for 2009
13-Nov-2008
Pubs can expect a national Scores on the Doors scheme, giving consumers details of hygiene rankings given by environmental health officers (EHOs), to...
Drug-testing device used at pubs and clubs
13-Nov-2008
Pubs and clubs north of the border have been taking part in tests using a pioneering portable drug detection machine. More than 750 would-be...
Retail therapy working at the Priory
12-Nov-2008
Sales at the Priory Arms in Stockwell - representing community pubs in Sell More, Save more - are currently running an average 12 per cent up on last...
Adam Withrington: What can the pub industry learn from Barack Obama?
11-Nov-2008
What is about Barack Obama that enthuses us all so much? His victory last week has seen an outpouring of optimism many of us can scarcely believe....
Employment: I saw Maureen kissing Santa Claus
11-Nov-2008
We've had our first snow, so Christmas must be just around the corner. If you're an owner or manager of a pub or restaurant, you may be planning your...
07-Nov-2008 By Peter Coulson
The Department for Culture, Media & Sport has totally lost the plot, says MA legal guru Peter Coulson.
New BII chief will go back to the shop floor
06-Nov-2008 By Matt Eley Matt
The new chief executive of the BII will start the job by going back to the shop floor and working in a pub. A replacement for outgoing chief John...
31-Oct-2008 By Peter Coulson
The whole tone of the latest Home Office red card plan is one of retribution for perceived wrongdoing, says Peter Coulson.
The menu mission
30-Oct-2008
While no-one needs reminding of the growing importance of food in pubs, turning the aspiration of a successful food operation into reality takes hard...
Pubs given migrant worker warning
29-Oct-2008
Pubs and pubcos may lose the right to employ overseas staff as they have yet to meet government regulations which come into force in a few weeks'...
23-Oct-2008 By Peter Coulson
There is not a single redeeming feature of the first draft proposals of the Responsible Alcohol Sales Taskforce, says Peter Coulson.
Health and Safety: Don't be the fall guy
23-Oct-2008
There's a nip in the air and the nights are starting to draw in - a sure sign that autumn has arrived, heralding the Hallowe'en and Bonfire Night...
Staff training: Team bonding and good record-keeping
23-Oct-2008
PAUSE FOR a moment and reflect upon the most valuable asset of any company in the hospitality industry. It is, without doubt, the people who work for...
Business benefits
23-Oct-2008
Inspirational businesses have been celebrating after picking up prizes at this year's Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) Brewing Business...
17-Oct-2008 By Peter Coulson
Prohibition has often been found to be counterproductive — not only in alcohol, says MA legal guru Peter Coulson.
Chris Maclean: Why trade needn't be six feet under
17-Oct-2008 By Chris Maclean
Last week our florist was bemoaning the state of his trade. With autumn here all his wedding business, pre-planned and booked for months, has been...
Chris Maclean: A fair rent?
15-Oct-2008 By Chris Maclean
Tonight I walked through the town. Autumn leaves rolled down the High Street. I passed pubs closed early for the evening. I passed pubs with no...
Back to Basics: A spooktacular opportunity
13-Oct-2008
Hallowe'en is a great opportunity to position your pub as the natural hub for everyone looking for a scarily good time. This year it also falls...
Back to Basics: Keep them coming back
09-Oct-2008
Think about it… you're asking your customers to get off their nice comfy sofa, come away from the TV and abandon their cheap supermarket booze to...
08-Oct-2008 By Peter Coulson
MA legal guru Peter Coulson considers why no-one has taken up the offer of an alcohol disorder zone.
08-Oct-2008 By MA Reporter
Fancy six months' supply of desserts from Alveston Kitchens? Then this competition is for you.
Pub staff 'under pressure' to work when sick
07-Oct-2008
Pub employees are being pressured to come to work when they are ill, according to a new survey.The impact of the credit crunch and concerns over job...
03-Oct-2008 By Peter Coulson
Licensing Act guidance made it clear that blanket conditions should be avoided, says MA legal guru Peter Coulson.
'Sharp rise in complaints by short-term workers'
03-Oct-2008
Two million workers in the UK fear for the future of their job, new research reveals. Citizens advice bureaux are being overloaded by people in...
Best BDMs in the business rewarded
30-Sep-2008 By Matt Eley Matt
Enterprise Inns' Joe Smith has been named Business Development Manager of the Year at the Association of Licensed Multiple Operators (ALMR)...
29-Sep-2008 By Ewan Turney
London brewer and operator Fuller's has opened a new training centre. The new Centre of Excellence includes a full working cellar and bar as well as...
25-Sep-2008 By Peter Coulson
MA legal guru Peter Coulson gives advice on running promotions.
Back to Basics: Keeping an eye on your kegs
23-Sep-2008
Twenty years ago there was no such thing as the Beer Orders and the pub world was a very different place. The beer tie was just a bit more popular...
BII accused of sending out confusing satellite message
17-Sep-2008 By Matt Eley Matt
A licensee has blamed the BII for sending out a confusing message about foreign satellite equipment by running an advert for a supplier. In the...
11-Sep-2008 By Peter Coulson
MA legal editor Peter Coulson considers the question of whether children are allowed at functions.
Back to Basics: Take control
10-Sep-2008
Let me throw a phrase at you: stock control. Are you falling asleep yet? It doesn't exactly fill the heart with excitement. But right now, when the...
Opinion: Look to the Irish
08-Sep-2008
It was my uncle, proud Irishman that he is, who first introduced me to the phrase 'going back to the auld sod'. It's what you might say to an...
03-Sep-2008 By Andrew Pring
BII is sponsoring the 'Corporate Citizenship' category of the 2008 Springboard Awards for Excellence. The esteemed awards are run by Springboard UK,...
Farmer's son makes dad's business work for him
02-Sep-2008 By Matt Eley Matt
At an early age Mark Hammick made a career choice so he would not have to work on his father's farm. Fast forward a couple of decades and he is now...
