Licensing Law

Top advice: tips on how to utilise TENs (image: Getty/buzbuzzer)

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Top tips on TENs

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...

Advice given: pubs that are recent converts to social media and email marketing need to be careful if they are planning to hold sweepstake events for this weekend’s Grand National (image: Getty/golero)

Digital marketing could make your pub sweepstake illegal

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.

Raise a glass: Licensing hours extended for Jubilee weekend in June (Getty/ CreativeDream)

Pubs can open for extra 2 hours on Jubilee weekend

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The licensing hours for pubs, bars and clubs will be extended for an extra two hours for three nights over the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend in June, to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years on the throne.

Looking at licensing: the Business & Planning Act includes two provisions that can help operators - fast track pavement licences and temporary off sales of alcohol (image: Getty/LeoPatrizi)

Licensing hub - legal with Poppleston Allen

Update on Business & Planning Act

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.

Legal expert: Poppleston Allen partner James Anderson

Licensing hub - legal with Poppleston Allen

It’s not what you’ve done, it’s what you may do that counts!

By James Anderson, partner at Poppleston Allen

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.

Outside service: the current provisions on al fresco dining are set to end in September this year (image: Getty/claudiodivizia)

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A little slice of European culture in west London

By Felix Faulkner, solicitor, Poppleston Allen

The Covid-19 pandemic has been a catastrophic time for the licensed industry, however not in every sense.

Expert advice: Poppleston Allen has outlined what a shadow licence is (image: Getty/Tom Merton)

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Why landlord sometimes protect their interests with a separate premises licence

By Suraj Desor, Poppleston Allen

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...

Reinvigorating the sector: Fiona Dickie says an agreed investment can improve pubs while deferring the market-rent-only (MRO) option for tenants

How investing in pubs can be a major factor in sector recovery

By Fiona Dickie, pubs code adjudicator

Investment in tied pubs could be a significant element to recovery in the sector. The pubs code supports this while balancing protection of tenants, ensuring they are informed and advised on their rights and the effect of proposed investments. I’d like...

Awaiting decision: the Government is currently consulting on potentially relaxing licensing hours for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, Poppleston Allen says (image: Getty/Gudella)

Licensing hub - legal with Poppleston Allen

Every little helps…

By Andy Grimsey, partner at Poppleston Allen

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...

Advice given: there are a variety of things operators should know about hosting raffles in pubs (image: Getty/kevinjeon00)

Licensing hub - legal with Poppleston Allen

How to host a raffle

By Imogen Moss, solicitor, Poppleston Allen

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.

Stay on top: there are many boxes to be ticked

Licensing hub – legal with Poppleston Allen

Does your business still meet legal criteria since reopening?

By Richard Bradley, solicitor, Poppleston Allen

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.

Top tips: Poppleston Allen urged operators to be prepared in understanding situations and circumstances (image: Getty/Henrik Sorensen)

Licensing hub - legal with Poppleston Allen

Taking care of taking care

By Andy Grimsey, partner at Poppleston Allen

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...

Getting delivery right: ensuring you have a good age verification policy is one aspect to consider

Licensing hub – legal with Poppleston Allen

Stay on the right side of the law with deliveries and takeaways

By Suraj Desor, solicitor Poppleston Allen

With the rise in home delivery and takeaway in recent years, accelerated by the pandemic, many operators such as our online delivery and restaurant clients have seen this as a great way to expand business.

Festive season: Poppleston Allen has issued advice on how to deal with customers who have 'indulged in the odd glass or two more than they usually would'

Licensing hub - legal with Poppleston Allen

How to deal with a bit too much Christmas spirit

By David Inzani, solicitor at Poppleston Allen

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.

Open all hours: extension to your operating hours could add to your bottom line

Licensing hub – legal with Poppleston Allen

Opportunity to extend operating hours and reap the rewards

By Imogen Moss, solicitor Poppleston Allen

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the face of many towns and cities and unfortunately, we have seen the closure of many nightclubs up and down the country.

Consultation process: pubs code adjudicator Fiona Dickie

Tell me your views on the free-of-tie process

By Fiona Dickie, pubs code adjudicator

In a previous column in The Morning Advertiser, I wrote about how the market-rent-only (MRO) option process had become better for tenants, but was still far from perfect.

Information given: Poppleston Allen solicitor David Inzani outlines how insolvency impacts a premises licence

Licensing hub – legal with Poppleston Allen

Dealing with the impact insolvency has on a premises licences

By David Inzani, solicitor at Poppleston Allen

The plight of the hospitality industry in the pandemic has been well documented and, sadly, stories of insolvency and premises closures are currently all too common. It has, therefore, never been more important for licensees to safeguard their premises...

Take the fear factor out of operating hours: advice from licensing solicitor Poppleston Allen (credit: Getty/shironosov)

Licensing hub – legal with poppleston Allen

Don’t let Halloween become a licensing nightmare

By David Inzani, solicitor at Poppleston Allen

The autumn events schedule is almost here with Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night fast approaching, hopefully very different propositions to their 2020 Covid-related counterparts.

Latest licensing moves: pavement licences and temporary event notices are among changes (Credit: Getty Images /  Thomas Barwick)

Licensing hub – Legal with Poppleston Allen

Your guide to the latest licensing law changes

By Poppleston Allen

As we move out of summer and into autumn, I thought it might be helpful to do a little round up of some of the changes in licensing legislation that have occurred, or will occur, in the next month or so.

Advice piece: Poppleston Allen give the answers you need to know about pavement licences (image: Getty/urbazon)

Licensing hub - legal with Poppleston Allen

Legal Q&A: pavement licences

By Poppleston Allen

Licensing experts Poppleston Allen answer questions about pavement licences.

Legal advice: tips on the position of gaming machines (image: Getty/halbergman)

Licensing hub - legal with Poppleston Allen

Legal Q&A: Raffle rules and gaming machines

By Poppleston Allen

Poppleston Allen delves into the rules around hosting a charity raffle as well as locations of gaming machines.

Online event: the free webinar will take place on Tuesday 14 September (image: Getty/Richard Drury)

Free advice on tackling noise complaints

By The Morning Advertiser

With noise nuisance rapidly becoming a major problem for a lot of operators on the return to trade, there’s still time to register to take part in a free online event to help you get to grips with the problem.

Top tips: Poppleston Allen has outlined how operators could deal with issues around noise (image: Getty/Muanpare wanpen)

Top tips on dealing with noise issues

By James Anderson, Poppleston Allen

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...

Online event: the webinar will look at how operators can deal with noise complaints from neighbours (image: Getty/SolStock)

Noises off?

By The Morning Advertiser

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.

Property opportunities: 'While high streets and town centres are suffering culturally due to the loss of so many hospitality businesses, the upshot of this is that there are now units available in excellent locations' (image: Getty/miodrag ignjatovic)

Licensing hub - legal with Poppleston Allen

Opportunities through policy reviews

By Poppleston Allen

The impact of the pandemic and casualties in the hospitality sector are well-documented and, sadly, probably not over yet.

Measures in place: operators should ensure they are aware of the legalities around hosting bingo (image: Getty juniorbeep)

Licensing hub - legal with Poppleston Allen

Top tips: social bingo revival within licensed premises

By Richard Bradley, solicitor, Poppleston Allen

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.

Rules in place: while restrictions have eased for pubs, the Government guidance states risk assessments remain a legal requirement under health and safety law (image: Getty/da-kuk)

Licensing hub - legal with Poppleston Allen

Legal Q&A: Gov guidance confusion and hot food sales

By Richard Bradley, Poppleston Allen

The latest legal Q&A with specialists Poppleston Allen tackles confusion over Government guidance alongside the sale of hot food rules.

Beer boom: ‘It may be that as an operator you are considering running different types of events to not only boost trade, but to attract both existing and new customers back into your venue’ (image: Getty/Aja Koska)

Licensing Hub – Legal with Poppleston Allen

Top tips: ‘freedom day’ and beer festivals

By Poppleston Allen

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.

Online case: licensing hearings are likely to be virtual at present (image: Getty/anyaberkut)

Licensing hub - legal with Poppleston Allen

Remote Licensing Hearings – A Virtual Reality

By Poppleston Allen

In a year when everything was different, one thing that turned remarkably quickly were the wheels of justice in establishing remote hearings and meetings.

Extended measures: Suraj Desor, specialist hospitality licensing solicitor at Poppleston Allen, answers key questions about the extended Covid restrictions (image: Getty/Monkeybusinessimages)

Licensing hub - Legal with Poppleston Allen

Restrictions extended in England – What pubs need to know

By Poppleston Allen

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.

Game on: ‘A question I have been asked a lot is whether gaming machines are allowed on licensed premises following the updated Covid-19 rules and guidance’ (Image: d1sk/Getty Images)

LICENSING HUB – LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

Level-up: key requirements for pub gaming machines

By Poppleston Allen

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.

Mixed bag: ‘there are some councils who are motivated to assist and there are some who are culturally incapable of decision making’ (Image:wildpixel/Getty Images)

Licensing Hub – Legal with Poppleston Allen

Red Lion or red tape?

By Poppleston Allen

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.

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