By Andy Grimsey, senior consultant solicitor, Poppleston Allen
We all know how useful temporary event notices (TENs) can be. Particularly in the years 2022 and 2023, when the Government has, in order to support business following Covid, increased the limits for TENs from a maximum of 15 per premises to 20, and a...
By Richard Bradley, associate solicitor, Poppleston Allen
With the pandemic forcing pubs to close for large periods over the past two years, we saw many establishments focus their attention on digital marketing to make sure their customers didn’t forget about them.
By Suraj Desor, associate solicitor at Poppleston Allen
We are now into the second year since the provisions of the Business & Planning Act were introduced by the Government in July 2020, with a view to helping licensees trade as they reopened post- pandemic.
I have written about this before, but it is becoming an increasingly significant part of the licensing process. The track record and proven operating ability is not as significant as it used to be.
I have had two cases recently where a premise licence held in the tenant’s name lapsed (due to insolvency) requiring me to lodge an urgent application on behalf of the landlord for a new licence. So now is as good a time as ever to look at the protections...
So, we enter the New Year and it has a surprisingly and rather depressingly familiar feel to it. Putting Covid-related matters aside for once (if that is even possible nowadays) let’s look at some of the more positive things to come in the licensing calendar...
With the festive season upon us, many operators will be planning raffles. There are a number of rules venues must follow, so here are some top tips to ensure everyone remains a winner.
Last year, Poppleston Allen published a detailed coronavirus pre-opening checklist and while the process of reopening has, to many, been one of tortuous evolution rather than speedy revolution, many of those considerations remain relevant today.
Vulnerability comes in many shapes and sizes. Often people associate vulnerability with particular traits however it is important for operators of licensed premises and their teams to be aware of what makes a person vulnerable along with what can make...
I know that you might have only just packed away your Halloween costumes, however this week the John Lewis advert hit our TV screens and that means only one thing – Christmas is coming.
In what is believed to be a sector first, today sees the national launch of a 50-page report covering the Covid-19 related legislative changes which affected the hospitality sector, from the start of restrictions to step four of the roadmap and the full...
It is time I think to revisit the issue of external areas of pub gardens and noise. Post-pandemic, are local people more appreciative of their local and more resigned to the odd burst of loud chatter from the garden, or have the months of closure led...
With the return to full trading following a disastrous year of shutdown and lockdown, many operators are experiencing an increased issue with regard to noise complaints from neighbours.
Since the reopening of the hospitality industry, there has been a rise in the entertainment offered within premises as they look to innovate in their offering to attract the return of customers.
The remaining coronavirus restrictions are due to be lifted on the 19 July and it is likely all operators will be looking at alternative ways of maximising trade after such long periods of closure and restrictions being in place.
In a year when everything was different, one thing that turned remarkably quickly were the wheels of justice in establishing remote hearings and meetings.
The latest legal Q&A from specialist licensing solicitors Poppleston Allen responds to a query around the outdoor live music, Covid risk assessments and licensing conditions.
The Prime Minister has confirmed restrictions in England will remain in place at least midnight on 18 July. Suraj Desor, specialist hospitality licensing solicitor at Poppleston Allen, answers key questions about the extended measures.
Graeme Cushion, partner at specialist licensing solicitors Poppleston Allen, answers some last-minute licensing questions ahead of this summer’s UEFA Euro 2020.
As we enter a new period of trading, it is worth brushing up on some of the key requirements for gaming machines in licensed venues in England and Wales.
Specialist licensing solicitors Poppleston Allen's latest legal Q&A addresses the impact of the Government’s relaxed off-trade restrictions on food and alcohol licensing conditions.
I write this article as Monday 17 May approaches, the light in the tunnel becomes brighter, and the journey towards ‘normality’, pot of gold of staycationers with savings and pub envy, a long, hot summer and the Euros await.
Re-opening may be some time off, however, now is the perfect time to think about preparing some refresher training for all your staff to undertake on their return behind the bar to get ahead of the game and reduce any threat of enforcement.
James Anderson from specialist licensing solicitors Poppleston Allen discusses what role pubs could play on post-lockdown high streets and where opportunities exist for operators once restrictions are lifted.
During 2020 a number of licensing authorities found themselves facing their five-yearly statutory duty to review their licensing policy, and consequently any associated Cumulative Impact Policy (CIP).
In previous years it has been customary for our first article of the new year to look forward to the year come, and make observations about possible legal changes for the hospitality industry in the coming months.
There has recently been much discussion - some serious and some tongue in cheek - about the merits of eating a scotch egg as a midday or main evening table meal, and if one Scotch egg isn’t enough to constitute it being the main meal would two suffice?...
The old proverb that "necessity is the mother of invention" has been ringing in pub operators’ ears throughout the Covid-19 pandemic even if their tills haven’t quite been ringing at the same frequency.
The latest legal Q&A from Poppleston Allen sees the specialist licensing solicitors field questions on paying the late-night levy, collecting customer payments and gaming machines.
In the latest Legal Q&A from specialist licensing solicitors Poppleston Allen, we take a closer look at licence and permit renewal as well as the potential drawbacks of a company voluntary arrangement.
At the time of writing (1 June), we are still awaiting both relaxation of the lockdown regulations and guidance for the hospitality sector from the Government on reopening and, until then, we are all still flailing around in the darkness.
The latest legal Q&A from specialist licensing solicitors Poppleston Allen covers the rules around late-night refreshments and refurbishment proposals during Covid-19 lockdown.
Since the Government announced we should avoid non-essential contact and, in particular, confined spaces such as pubs and restaurants, our world of hospitality has changed beyond all recognition.
It is real. We knew it was coming, but many, including myself, did not foresee the devastation to our health, our lifestyle and the economy that coronavirus would bring to the UK.
A premises licence is a precious asset – lose it and not only will you lose precious trade in the intervening period but you have no guarantee that an application for a new licence will be granted with the same hours and conditions.
Could you run this Warrington pub? The Hawthorne is a thriving community sports pub in Warrington, showing live sport each day, along with live music every...