Licensing law

Q&A: Checking amplified music and noise levels

05-Feb-2018 By Poppleston Allen

This week's Q&A looks at the laws governing fire risk assessments and dealing with noise complaints.

Facing up to latest innovations

05-Feb-2018 By Poppleston Allen

There has been publicity in recent months concerning a couple of technical innovations in terms of the delivery of alcohol to customers within licensed premises.

Drinkers told to 'grass up pubs' over short measures

02-Feb-2018 By Nikkie Sutton

Consumers are being encouraged to ask for their pints to be topped up if they are short of a full measure.

Legal top tips: be stringent on sales to minors

18-Jan-2018 By Poppleston Allen

Some of our clients had issues with underage drinkers during the festive period and it is worth reminding ourselves of some of the main points.

Legal Q&A: film licences and supermarket spirits

17-Jan-2018 By Poppleston Allen

This week's Q&A looks at the rules about broadcasting films in pubs and buying spirits from the supermarket.

Gazing into the 2018 crystal ball

12-Jan-2018 By Poppleston Allen

A glimpse into what the year ahead holds in terms of licensing legislation.

Landmark licensing decision for St John’s Wood pub

09-Jan-2018 By Stuart Stone

With the help of the licensing, gaming and regulatory team at solicitors Joelson, a pub in north London has prevented new restrictive conditions being placed on its licence.

Legal Q&A: Christmas events and gaming in pubs

07-Dec-2017 By Poppleson Allen

This week's Q&A is about holding special events for Christmas and the rules around customers gaming in the pub.

Legal top tips: getting into the Christmas spirit

07-Dec-2017 By Poppleston Allen

Christmas is just around the corner and while you may be looking forward to taking advantage of the increase in trade, it is important to ensure your customers do
not get carried away with the Christmas ‘spirit’ and over indulge by having one...

Get your TENs in now for a happy Christmas

30-Nov-2017 By Poppleston Allen

The festive season is fast approaching and for many in the hospitality industry and legal experts Poppleson Allen look at how to make the most of it.

What pubs needs to know about travellers and the Equality Act

21-Nov-2017 By Georgina Townshend

Do you know who you can and can't let into your pub? As another case of discrimination where a landlady refused to serve an Irish traveller hit the headlines, here's what you need to know.

Licensee 'in contempt of court' for continuing to breach Sky copyright

21-Nov-2017 By Stuart Stone

Robert Stewart of the Village Inn, Edinburgh, has been found in contempt of court and in breach of interdict (injunction) for infringing Sky’s copyright and showing Sky Sports without a commercial contract with Sky for a second occasion.

Government responds to Lords' Licensing Act Review

07-Nov-2017 By Georgina Townshend

The Government has rejected proposals to scrap late-night levies (LNL), along with some other recommendations, as part of its official response to the House of Lords Select Committee’s proposals for a “major overhaul” of the Licensing Act 2003.

Legal Q&A: under-18s in pubs and temporary event notices

24-Oct-2017 By Poppleston Allen

This week's Q&A looks at the rules around under-18s in pubs and issuing temporary event notices (TENs).

Top tips: fine tuning minor variations to licences

24-Oct-2017 By Poppleston Allen

Nobody wants to pay unnecessary administrative costs, and the temptation will always be to leave your premises licence and the plans that are attached to it untouched for as long as possible.

Plan ahead for Guy Fawkes displays

24-Oct-2017 By Poppleston Allen

Legal experts Poppleston Allen advises operators on the rules around firework and bonfire displays.

Scare their pants off – top tips for Halloween in the pub

16-Oct-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Everyone loves a theme, especially around Halloween. Whether it is a spooky drinks menu, a ghoulish food offer or a full-blown American-style fancy dress party, Halloween is the perfect time of year to boost sales.

Total fines of £39,000 imposed on three pubs for illegal sports broadcast

11-Oct-2017 By Helen Gilbert

Three pubs have been charged tens of thousands of pounds for showing Sky Sports illegally.

License to play: Copyright law explained for pubs

06-Oct-2017 By Greg Pitcher

Copyright law is a complicated area, requiring landlords to have different licences for sport, TV programmes and films, as well as music

Pubs code adjudicator Paul Newby 'pubs code is not failing'

11-Sep-2017 By Claire Churchard

With just a year under its belt, the pubs code still has a lot to prove. The Morning Advertiser talks to pubs code adjudicator (PCA) Paul Newby to find out why the legislation is making so many people frustrated and what he can do, and is doing, about...

Barman receives disciplinary action for writing 'lesbians' on receipt

31-Aug-2017 By Georgina Townshend

A barman of a Welsh holiday park’s on-site pub has received disciplinary action after printing the word “lesbians” on a gay couple’s receipt.

APPG set up to probe illicit trade

25-Aug-2017 By Fred A'Court

MPs will investigate illicit trade across a range of sectors, including alcohol, as part of a new All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) formed to push the problem up the political agenda.

Trade responds to airline's alcohol limit call

15-Aug-2017 By Fred A'Court

The trade has underlined the need for the responsible sale of alcohol and action against drunken airline passengers in response to tough suggested limits on sales at airport bars and restaurants by Ryanair. 

Legal

How to avoid £150 fine for trading outside

24-Jul-2017 By Poppleston Allen

Following national reports of a 5-year-old girl receiving a £150 fine for trading on the street in Mile End, east London, The Morning Advertiser's legal experts Poppleston Allen advised operators on outdoor trading.

On-trade serving 1 in 4 teens alcohol without asking for ID

30-Jun-2017 By Georgina Townshend

Operators sold one in four teenage mystery shoppers alcohol without asking for proof of age in 2016, according to new data.

Seaside town will not introduce blanket glassware ban

29-Jun-2017 By Michelle Perrett

East Lindsey District Council (ELDC) has denied accusations it was considering banning all glasses from premises in Skegness.

Public Health England publishes findings on ‘theoretical public health licensing objective’

26-Jun-2017 By Georgina Townshend

Health bosses have claimed that a public health licensing objection could play a “positive role”, despite objections from industry bodies.

Pub forced to make changes to 'self-serve wall'

19-Jun-2017 By James Beeson

A pub that allows customers to pour their own pints was forced to make changes after being told it was in violation of licensing laws.

MA500: Licensing Act changes - what are the odds?

09-Jun-2017 By Claire Churchard

The House of Lords select committee laid out its proposals for a “major overhaul” of the Licensing Act 2003 in early April. 

NHS pressures ‘could be reduced’ by shorter trading times, claims IAS

31-May-2017 By Georgina Townshend

Pressure on ambulances, emergency departments, hospitals and the police could be “eased” if pub trading times were reduced, a study of licensing laws has claimed.

National Pubwatch launches Star Awards

26-May-2017 By Michelle Perrett

National Pubwatch has launched the first of its Star Awards to recognise the contribution made by people to their local schemes.  

In association with Poppleston Allen

Legal Q&A: should pubs let punters use their Wi-Fi to bet online?

25-May-2017 By Poppleston Allen

Should a publican allow customers to use their Wi-Fi to bet online? Legal expert Poppleston Allen explains the legal situation.

Tower Hamlets forced to delay late-night levy

24-May-2017 By Liam Coleman

Tower Hamlets has been forced to push back the introduction of a proposed late-night levy as a result of legal action taken by industry bodies.

Licensing authorities and publicans to job swap for National Licensing Week

23-May-2017 By Liam Coleman

National Licensing Week will take place in mid June and see job swaps across the industry, the Institute of Licensing has confirmed.

Lords’ Licensing Act Review: what are the odds for change?

23-May-2017 By Claire Churchard

It’s more than a month since The House of Lords select committee published proposals for a “major overhaul” of the 2003 Licensing Act. But how many of the Lords’ recommendations are likely to be implemented by the next Government?

High Court dismisses challenge to Liverpool late-night levy

10-May-2017 By Claire Churchard

Liverpool City Council is free to continue running its late-night levy after a challenge brought by the Pub Invest Group was dismissed by the High Court.

In association with PopplestonAllen

Legal Q&A: the dos and don'ts of gaming machines in family pubs

10-May-2017 By PopplestonAllen

Should a publican put a gaming machines in his family-friendly pub? Legal experts Poppleston Allen explain the legal position.

Designated premises supervisor application process changed

08-May-2017 By Liam Coleman

Applications to change a pub's designated premises supervisor (DPS) have been made easier following process amendments by the Home Office.

Proposed Hackney levy ‘blunt and indiscriminate’

08-May-2017 By Liam Coleman

The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) has billed the late-night levy a “blunt and indiscriminate tax” in response to Hackney Council’s consultation on proposals to introduce the charge.

Father chases licensee for unpaid daughter's wages

20-Apr-2017 By Phil Mellows

A father is pursuing a licensee who left the pub without paying his daughter’s wages.

Legal advice: Six things to think about when adding to your outdoor offer

19-Apr-2017 By Poppleston Allen

With British Summertime under way and the days getting longer, hopefully, we should be in for some better weather and you may be considering using any external areas to take full advantage.

BBPA responds to Hackney levy consultation

11-Apr-2017 By Liam Coleman

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has officially responded to Hackney Council’s consultation on introducing a late-night levy at a time where the House of Lords looks to abolish the order all together. 

Licensing authority guidance updated in response to concerns

10-Apr-2017 By Liam Coleman

The Government has updated its guidance for licensing authorities following concerns that the new powers may lead to heavy handed implementation of the Licensing Act 2003.

Introduce agent-of-change principle to ‘balance’ Licensing Act, say Lords

06-Apr-2017 By Liam Coleman

Proposals to change the Licensing Act have called for the inclusion of an agent-of-change principle to make licensing laws fairer for businesses and residents.

Major overhaul proposed for ‘fundamentally flawed’ Licensing Act

04-Apr-2017 By Liam Coleman

The chair of the House of Lords inquiry into the Licensing Act 2003 has described the legislation as “fundamentally flawed”, and a number of proposals have been made to fix it in a report published today (4 April).

Hartlepool council delays EMRO decision until summer

30-Mar-2017 By Liam Coleman

Hartlepool Borough Council has pushed back a decision on introducing an early morning restriction order (EMRO) this week.

Date confirmed for results of Lords licensing review

28-Mar-2017 By Liam Coleman

The House of Lords will announce the findings of its inquiry into the 2003 Licensing Act next Tuesday (4 April).

Gloucester delays late-night levy decision

21-Mar-2017 By Liam Coleman

Gloucester City Council has delayed its decision on introducing a late-night levy for the city.

Trade reiterates calls for alternative to late-night levy

16-Mar-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Trade bodies have strengthened calls for an alternative approach to Gloucester’s late-night levy and to look at nearby Cheltenham for inspiration.

Late-night levy plans for Hackney ‘will have detrimental effect’

14-Mar-2017 By Georgina Townshend

Industry groups have warned Hackney Borough Council that proposals to introduce a late-night levy in the area would be detrimental to local businesses.