Licensing Law

Prepared: the Government outlines measures for coronavirus preparation in its Budget

Budget 2020

Pubs win in Budget 2020 with significant financial support

By Nicholas Robinson

Teetotal Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak paid critical attention to the pub trade in the release of his 2020 Budget today (11 March), as the sector braces itself for a hammering by coronavirus.

28 days later: death or insolvency ends the licence

Licensing Hub – Legal with Poppleston Allen

Top tips: don’t let your premises licence lapse

By Poppleston Allen

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.

Sound choices: ensure your music is contained

Licensing Hub – Legal with Poppleston Allen

Top tips: don’t give anyone a reason to be noisy

By Poppleston Allen

It may feel a long way away given the recent storms, but spring really is just around the corner – it officially starts on 20 March.

Capital gains: London has more than 50% of all late-night levies

Licensing Hub – Legal with Poppleston Allen

Late-night levy changes in store

By Poppleston Allen

This year is likely to start with the arrival of another late-night levy. This time in Redbridge, where the full council will meet in a few weeks’ time to decide on adopting the levy.

Joint consultation: the decision was made by a variety of groups including veterans and licensing authorities

VE Day opening hours extension confirmed

By Nikkie Thatcher

Pubs in England and Wales that are licensed to trade until 11pm will be able to serve for an additional two hours on Friday 8 May and Saturday 9 May from 11am until 1am the following morning to mark the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day,...

Seconds out: White collar boxing must be regulated correctly

Licensing Hub – Legal with Poppleston Allen

Pubs and white collar boxing: avoid a knockout blow

By Poppleston Allen

The Institute of Licensing is conducting a survey on white collar boxing, after being contacted by a media company working on a documentary on the subject.

Policing problem: a licence transfer does not take into account a good or bad operator

Licensing Hub – Legal with Poppleston Allen

Difficulty of opposing a transfer

By Poppleston Allen

One of the clichés in the licensing process is for us licensing lawyers to tell the authorities and the licensing committee that our client is ‘a good operator’.

Time at the bar: a council will not grant extended opening hours after neighbours complained about noise

Publican loses battle to extend opening hours

By Alice Leader

A council has rejected a publican’s application to extend a pub’s opening hours after neighbouring residents warned it would worsen the existing “nightmare of noise” and disruption.

Rules to follow: Lottery rollovers are not permitted

Licensing Hub – Legal with Poppleston Allen

Top tips: don’t rely on luck for your pub lotteries

By Poppleston Allen

As the festive season draws to a close and we look ahead to 2020, many operators will be planning promotions and activities for the coming year.

Tap time: will you consider adding a tap wall so customers can serve themselves?

Licensing Hub – Legal with Poppleston Allen

Self-service beer taps 'a possible headache' for licensees

By Poppleston Allen

Now Christmas is over and the dust has settled on the busiest time of the year for the trade, you might be mulling over what you can do in the next 12 months to give your business the edge.

ID check: Knowing the minimum date of birth is vital

Licensing Hub – Legal with Poppleston Allen

Top tips: stay on top of underage sales

By Poppleston Allen

Two of the most prevalent issues at Christmas office party events are underage sales and customer intoxication.

Noise complaints: representations must be honest

Licensing Hub – Legal with Poppleston Allen

Legal Q&A: Lapse of licence, bankruptcy and extension of hours

By Poppleston Allen

The latest legal Q&A from specialist licensing solicitors Poppleston Allen covers lapse of licence, the impact of bankruptcy on a licence and applications for extended hours.

Party time: don't let Christmas revellers spoil the fun

Licensing Hub – Legal with Poppleston Allen

Top tips: dealing with unpredictable customers

By Poppleston Allen

At this time of year, it is worthwhile reminding operators that Christmas and new year attract office parties and celebrations that will likely take place at licensed premises.

Against the clock: Speak to authorities if you have less time than expected and check your licence because you may be able show early sport

Licensing Hub – Legal with Poppleston Allen

Applying for TENS against the clock

By Poppleston Allen

Where operators have such permissions but are short on time, my advice has been to speak to the police and licensing officers – the majority take a relaxed view, according to specialist licensing solicitors Poppleston Allen.

Momentous occasion: this year celebrates 75 years since VE Day

Pubs can stay open longer for VE Day

By Nikkie Thatcher

Plans to extend pub licensing hours across England and Wales to mark the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day have been announced by the Home Secretary.

Underage dilemma: alcohol-free beer could be a way of encouraging younger people to use pubs

Should pubs serve under-18s alcohol-free beer?

By Alice Leader

Every day, food and drinks such as a ripe banana or a slice of bread contain similar amounts of alcohol as an ‘alcohol-free’ beer, yet some operators do not permit sales of non-alcoholic drinks.

Urgent work: Sometimes no one will be aware that a premises has been operating illegally for years

Licensing Hub – Legal with Poppleston Allen

Beware of insolvency complexities

By Poppleston Allen

We have recently been involved in several cases where the premises licence has lapsed by virtue of the licence holder becoming insolvent or being dissolved.

Get some distance: Gaming machines must not be next to ATMs

Licensing Hub – Legal with Poppleston Allen

Legal Q&A: A-board policy, gaming machines and ATMs

By Poppleston Allen

The latest legal Q&A from specialist licensing solicitors Poppleston Allen covers pub A-boards and placement of gaming machines and on-site cash points.

Revenue stream: in a time of reduced budgets for local authorities, you would think an additional revenue stream would be welcomed with open arms, however, on the whole, councils have resisted the temptation

Licensing Hub – Legal with Poppleston Allen

Law change may boost ‘failed’ levy

By Poppleston Allen

Although the late-night levy has been largely shunned, geographical changes may see more implementations.

Top billing: Lisa Sharkey acknowledges the hard work of the Poppleston Allen solicitors

Top ranking for Poppleston Allen licensing team

By Alice Leader

Alcohol licensing law company – Poppleston Allen – and its team of solicitors have been acknowledged for its licensing, achieving Tier 1 status in both the East Midlands and London, according to the latest results from Legal 500.

Too late to object: don’t slip up with your temporary event notices

Licensing Hub – Legal with Poppleston Allen

Legal Q&A: Late TEN rejection and slight licensing variation

By Poppleston Allen

The latest legal Q&A from specialist licensing solicitors Poppleston Allen covers late temporary event notice refusal and informing licensing authorities of variations from layout plans.

General tips: avoid fines and enforcement

Licensing Hub – Legal with Poppleston Allen

Top tips: compliance with regulations

By Poppleston Allen

Whether you are looking to take over an existing premises or starting from scratch, it is not always clear which regulations apply to your business and how you achieve compliance with them.

Policy checks: furniture licences and age verification policies need to be up to scratch

Licensing Hub – Legal with Poppleston Allen

Legal Q&A: furniture highway and age challenge policy

By Poppleston Allen

The latest legal Q&A from specialist licensing solicitors Poppleston Allen covers outdoor furniture licences and age verification policies.

Key advice: check your premises licence

Licensing Hub – Legal with Poppleston Allen

Top tips: your checklist for inspection visits

By Poppleston Allen

I have received a number of queries from clients in the past few weeks relating to inspection visits from licensing authorities.

Follow us

Property of the week

Pub Trade Guides

View more

Webinars

The Lock In Pub Podcast