Licensing law

Number of pubs showing illegal Sky continues to decline

27-Feb-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

The number of pubs showing Sky illegally is decreasing, the broadcaster’s head of commercial piracy has confirmed.

Ground-breaking move means Cheltenham late-night levy will be canned

27-Feb-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Cheltenham Borough Council has decided to scrap its late-night levy in favour of a business improvement district (BID), a decision that is the first of its kind.

Huge fine over illegal Sky Sports for ex-licensee of Birmingham pub

27-Feb-2017 By Liam Coleman

The ex-licensee of a pub on the doorstep of Aston Villa’s ground, Villa Park, has been fined almost £50,000 for showing sport illegally.

Institute of Licensing chairman term extended

23-Feb-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Following a board meeting earlier this month (February), the Institute of Licensing has extended Daniel Davies’s term as chairman until February 2020.

Legal Q&A: DPS queries and personal licence holder presence

20-Feb-2017 By Poppleston Allen

This week's legal Q & A looks into queries around a DPS being on more than one licence, what happens when a DPS goes on leave and a query around a personal licence holder being present.

MA500

Pubs with rooms are 'not like Fawlty Towers now'

16-Feb-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Visitor numbers across Britain are expected to rise further as the weaker pound makes it more attractive to foreigners and Brits alike, according to Dominic Worrall, owner of the Bull in Ditchling, East Sussex.

How to have a nose for fake alcohol

14-Feb-2017 By Poppleston Allen

Our legal experts give advice on how to spot when there might be something amiss with a new drink you're being offered.

Licensing victory for new London gay bar

09-Feb-2017 By Daniel Woolfson

A new high-profile gay bar in London’s Vauxhall has been granted a 5am licence after lawyers scored a rare victory with the local council’s licensing authority.

Legal advice: How to make sure your drunk customers policy is working

08-Feb-2017 By Poppleston Allen

Our legal experts give advice on how to make sure you are sticking to the law on drunk customers.

Legal Q & A: Late-night levies and TENs

06-Feb-2017 By Poppleston Allen

Our legal experts tackle your questions on the basics of a late-night levy and obtaining a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) for sporting events.

UK’s oldest gay pub saved by mixed use classification

02-Feb-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Iconic gay pub the Royal Vauxhall Tavern has been granted a mixed use (sui generis) classification, protecting it against development.

Best Bar None winners unveiled

02-Feb-2017 By Michelle Perrett

Durham won the top accolade as it was crowned best overall scheme at the Best Bar None (BBN) awards event at the House of Lords last night (1 February).

Legal advice: How record keeping can pay off

01-Feb-2017 By Poppleston Allen

Our legal experts look at how being properly on top of paperwork and training can avoid a potentially sticky situation.

Scrapping gaming machine fee ‘would save pubs £500,000’

27-Jan-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Business in Licensing (BIL) and the Gambling Business Group (GBG) have joined forces in a bid to remove the fee pubs have to pay to inform licensing authorities if they want to use their automatic entitlement on gaming machines.

Legal advice: What you can, can't and must accept as ID

24-Jan-2017 By Poppleston Allen

Identity cards have come of age. Here's what you need to know on the legality of accepting proof-of-age identification.

Sex entertainment plans at pub granted

16-Jan-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

A Gloucestershire pub has had its sexual entertainment venue (SEV) licence granted, despite more than 50 residents’ objections.

Sexual entertainment venue licence

More than 50 residents complain over sex entertainment plans at pub

10-Jan-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

More than 50 residents have objected to a Gloucestershire pub’s plans for a sexual entertainment venue (SEV) licence.

Licensing

No ‘pleasure or relief’ at Fabric’s reopening tonight, says boss

06-Jan-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Legendary London nightclub Fabric’s reopening has not made director Cameron Leslie feel either pleased or relieved.

Fabric closure

Fabric says ‘there is no safe way to take drugs’ following drug death inquest

05-Jan-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Iconic London nightclub Fabric has warned partygoers there is no safe way to take drugs ahead of its reopening, this weekend (Friday 6 January).

Licensing

Police block pub’s late-night licence bid

03-Jan-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Police are obstructing a Teesside pub’s bid to open until 5.30am because of its “violent past”, despite bosses claiming the site now attracts a more “cosmopolitan” clientele.

Gambling

Gambling Commission recommends reduction for many in operating licence fees

22-Dec-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

The Gambling Commission and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport have reviewed proposals for operating licence annual fees, which will come into force this year.

Personal licence

‘Ignorant’ courts fail to punish convicted personal licence holders

22-Dec-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

Licensing solicitor Poppleston Allen has claimed a lack of action taken by courts against convicted personal licence holders is down to ignorance.

LATE-NIGHT LEVY

BBPA demands clarity on late-night levy decision

22-Dec-2016 By Michelle Perrett

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has written to Liverpool City Council to ask for clarification over the process it used to reach a decision to implement a late-night levy (LNL). 

LONDON

Night Tube sees drinks sales up, but food sales down

22-Dec-2016 By Finn Scott-Delaney from MCA

The introduction of the Night Tube to London has seen an uplift in drinks sales – but at the expense of food sales, a new report has shown.

Licensing

Poppleston Allen research shows success on TENs objections

19-Dec-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

Temporary Event Notices (TENs) have been successful in England and Wales since the inception of the Licensing Act 2003, according to licensing specialists Poppleston Allen.

London Nightlife

Mayor of London appoints new chair of Night Time Commission

16-Dec-2016 By Sara Hussein

Sadiq Khan has appointed top lawyer Philip Kolvin QC as chair of the Night Time Commission to “protect” London’s night-time economy. 

Legal

Staying on the right side of the law this Christmas

13-Dec-2016 By Poppleston Allen

The festive period will likely involve a police drink-drive campaign showing disturbing images and reinforcing the devastating effect that ‘just one more’ drink can have on families.

Licensing

Landmark licence granted in cumulative impact zone

12-Dec-2016 By Liam Coleman

A craft beer shop in East London's cumulative impact zone has been granted a milestone licence for on and off-trade sales.

Licensing

House of Lords licensing report expected by April

09-Dec-2016 By Michelle Perrett

The House of Lords licensing committee is expected to publish its report into the impact of the Licensing Act 2003 by the beginning of April 2017.

Late-night levy

Liverpool late-night levy to be enforced by April 2017

07-Dec-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

Liverpool City Council has announced the city’s late-night levy (LNL), which was signed off in November, will be implemented on 1 April 2017.

NOISE COMPLAINTS

Much-loved pub wins legal battle over noise complaints

05-Dec-2016 By Daniel Woolfson

A pub has won a three-year legal battle to be able to continue hosting live bands and musical entertainment. 

Licensing statistics

Only 11% of pubs, bars and restaurants have 24-hour licences

02-Dec-2016 By Michelle Perrett

Only 11% of pubs, bars and restaurants in England and Wales have 24-hour licences, latest Home Office statistics have revealed.

Business rates

Pubs minister: ‘13,000 pubs potentially eligible for 100% small-business rate relief’

30-Nov-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

Pubs minister Andrew Percy has revealed that 13,000 pubs could be eligible for complete small-business rate relief, following the Autumn Statement. 

Make some noise

Licensing inquiry: Late night sector calls for agent-of-change principle

30-Nov-2016 By Liam Coleman

Representatives of the late-night economy have called for the UK to have an agent-of-change principle in regards to planning around licensed premises.

Home delivery

Legal top tips on home delivery

29-Nov-2016 By Poppleston Allen

Legal specialists Poppleston Allen reveal top tips for licensees on home delivery of alcohol.

Licensing

Night Tube and Fabric up for discussion at Licensing Act review

24-Nov-2016 By Liam Coleman

Creating a night-time economy that suits local residents, the Night Tube's impact on London and the effect of pre-loading on crime are all up for discussion at the next session of the House of Lords review of the 2003 Licensing Act.

Licensing

Supermarkets claim 'no evidence' of weekend pre-loading

22-Nov-2016 By Liam Coleman

A representative of Waitrose has said that the company sees “no evidence” of pre-loading at the House of Lords review of the Licensing Act 2003, which also saw a representative of Sainsbury’s give similar evidence.

FABRIC CLOSURE

Fabric to reopen: deal agreed to resurrect iconic club

21-Nov-2016 By Daniel Woolfson

Famed nightclub Fabric is set to reopen just months after it was closed and had its licence revoked.

Licensing law

Licensing Act investigators release questions for off-trade retailers

21-Nov-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

The Lords Committee has released the questions it will be asking supermarkets following JDW boss Tim Martin calling on the committee to grill the retail giants over VAT

FABRIC CLOSURE

Fabric “could re-open” after drug-deaths closure

18-Nov-2016 By Daniel Woolfson

Talks are underway to re-open iconic London nightclub Fabric, which closed earlier this year following the drug-fuelled deaths of two teenagers, The Morning Advertiser (MA) understands. 

LATE-NIGHT LEVY

British Beer & Pub Association calls for Cheltenham to scrap late-night levy

18-Nov-2016 By Michelle Perrett

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has urged Cheltenham Borough Council to abolish its late-night levy (LNL) in a response to its latest consultation.

House of Lords committee

JDW boss calls on Lords to grill supermarkets over VAT

14-Nov-2016 By Michelle Perrett

JD Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin has called on the House of Lords select committee to question supermarkets on VAT and rates in its next hearing. 

Licensing

Trade voices wade in on health and licensing objectives

14-Nov-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

Licensing objectives emerged as the new front line in the looming war over the health of the nation, as experts from all sides gave evidence during a parliamentary hearing. As the heat rises, trade experts have now added their views. Nikkie Sutton reports.

Licensing

Industry slams Liverpool late-night levy decision

11-Nov-2016 By James Evison

The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers and British Beer & Pub Association have described the move by Liverpool City Council to implement a late-night levy as "disappointing" and questioned if the local authority has the powers to...

Licensing Law

Drunk customers? New video shows how pubs and bars can avoid breaking the law

11-Nov-2016 By Helen Gilbert

Pub and bar staff have been reminded that it is illegal to serve drunk people and against the law for customers to purchase drinks for an inebriated friend in a new video. 

licensing

Liverpool signs off late-night levy plans

11-Nov-2016 By James Evison

Plans for a late-night levy (LNL) have been introduced by Liverpool City Council (LCC) following deferral of a decision in March.

licensing

Licensing 'should not be used for alcohol health objectives'

10-Nov-2016 By Helen Gilbert

Alcohol licensing regulations should not be used to promote ‘overall health objectives’ around alcohol, industry bodies have warned.

Licensing

Cheshire East Council turns down late-night levy

09-Nov-2016 By James Evison

A council has turned down the opportunity to consult on a late-night levy (LNL) and early morning restriction order (EMRO). 

Licensing Act

Health risks of alcohol should be labelled like cigarettes

09-Nov-2016 By Liam Coleman

Police chiefs have called for the health implications of alcohol to be labelled on drinks in pubs as part of the licensing objectives.

Legal advice

How to deal with the customer who has had too much

09-Nov-2016 By Poppleston Allen

I know that you might have only just packed away your Halloween costumes but, as frightening as it may seem, Christmas is now just a few short weeks away.