Licensing law

Legal

Legal questions answered: proof-of-age display and DPS at mutiple premises

07-Nov-2016 By Poppleston Allen

Our legal experts tackle your questions on displaying your proof-of-age policy and if you can be the supervisor at more than one site.

LONDON NIGHTLIFE

Mayor of London appoints city’s first ‘Night Czar’

04-Nov-2016 By Daniel Woolfson

Sadiq Khan has revealed the identity of London's first night czar to champion the capital’s night-time industry.

Lords Committee

Lords licensing committee to quiz police

04-Nov-2016 By James Evison

Senior police chiefs and lawyers will be quizzed next week by the House of Lords select committee investigating the impact of the Licensing Act 2003.

licensing

TOWIE club ordered to stop playing recorded music

03-Nov-2016 By James Evison

Miya Nightclub in Chelmsford, made famous by ITV show The Only Way is Essex, has been ordered to stop playing recorded music on its premises.

Licensing

Safety Thirst awards scheme recognises 46 London venues

31-Oct-2016 By Liam Coleman

46 central London pub and bar venues have been recognised for promoting a safe drinking culture in the City of London at the Safety Thirst awards; an increase of 12 from two years ago

Research

Consumers staying out later and spending £60 a night

26-Oct-2016 By James Wallin, MCA

A new Night Index research project launched by the Deltic Group has shown that despite the increasing importance of social media, 58% of customers still rely on word of mouth to choose where they spend their night out.

Licensing Act

Health experts call for greater distinction between on and off-trade sales

25-Oct-2016 By Liam Coleman

Health experts have called for a greater distinction between on and off-trade sales at a House of Lords review of the Licensing Act 2003.

licensing

Lords licensing committee to hear from public health experts

20-Oct-2016 By James Evison

The impact of the Licensing Act 2003 legislation on public health will be explored at the House of Lords committee meeting next week.

Licensing Act

CAMRA calls for end of late-night levies

20-Oct-2016 By Liam Coleman

Chief executive of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), Tim Page, has called for an end to late-night levies and an increase in voluntary partnership arrangements at a House of Lords review of the Licensing Act 2003. 

Licensing

Legal experts tips on holiday allowance, measures and licensing enquiries

19-Oct-2016 By Poppleston Allen, Licensing

Legal experts Poppleston Allen answer licensee questions on holiday allowance for a designated premises supervisor and wine measures and one question from someone considering becoming a licensee regarding licensing enquiries.

Legislation

Legal advice: clauses on the way for levy and CIPs

18-Oct-2016 By Poppleston Allen

Legal experts Poppleston Allen explain the amendments to the late-night levy provisions and cumulative impact policies.

Licensing

Legal experts advise on hiring and retiring

10-Oct-2016 By Poppleston Allen

Legal experts Poppleston Allen answer questions from operators on licensing issues.

Legal advice

Top tips on how to deal with beer garden-related complaints

07-Oct-2016 By Poppleston Allen

One of the challenges for many operators in residential areas is the use of beer gardens or external areas, whose increasing popularity with licensees and customers is not always matched by nearby residents. Legal specialists Poppleston Allen advise licensees...

Legal advice

How to understand local council's statement of licensing policy

07-Oct-2016 By Poppleston Allen

A local authority's statement of licensing policy (SOLP) outlines the licensing information in the area and can affect a premises under the council's care. Legal experts, Poppleston Allen give advice on how to understand the statement.

'Professionalism, choice and positivity': A view on the state of the sector

03-Oct-2016 By Mike Berry

As I prepare to leave this parish and my role as Managing Editor on the Morning Advertiser (MA), it’s an opportune moment to reflect on my time and offer a view as to the state of the sector (for what it’s worth).

Licensing

Late licence granted despite being in Nottingham's saturation zone

28-Sep-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

A venue in Nottingham has been granted a licence despite being situated in the city’s saturation zone.

Late-night levy

Licensing changes slammed amid fears of late-night levy expansion

26-Sep-2016 By Oli Gross

Proposed changes to licensing laws have been slammed as fears grow that late-night levies will increasingly become a first port of call for local councils.

TV Sport

Q&A: Staying legal when showing TV sport in your pub

22-Sep-2016 By Premier League & Sky Sports

In order to clear up confusion surrounding showing live football in pubs, the Morning Advertiser asked the Premier League and Sky to provide a myth-buster on the issue of copyright and compliance.

'We want to work in partnership with councils and police'

14-Sep-2016 By Peter Marks

When the Licensing Act 2003 finally became law, it changed everything. Whilst I don’t intend to detail all the changes, it’s safe to say that while there are some positives, there are also many negatives which still need to be addressed.

Licensing

Legal advice: Evidence deadlines for hearings

07-Sep-2016 By Poppleston Allen

Want to change your hours? Make sure you follow all the rules.

legal Q&A

How many personal licence holders do I need?

07-Sep-2016 By Poppleston Allen

So you've bought a pub - what are the next steps for licensing regarding members of staff?

Legal

How many TENs can I apply for if I don’t hold a personal licence?

07-Sep-2016 By Poppleston Allen

Does the annual limit on temporary event notice apply to just yourself or 'associates' too?

London

London nightclub Fabric to shut for good after drug deaths

07-Sep-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

Islington Borough Council has revoked Fabric’s licence for good after it was suspended last month (August).

House of Lords Licensing inquiry

What pubs need from the Licensing Act inquiry

05-Sep-2016 By Oli Gross

As the House of Lords Select Committee inquiry on the Licensing Act 2003 continues today, industry bodies called for stability in the system and a focus on reducing the cost and burden of enforcement.

London

Petition to reopen iconic London nightclub Fabric signed by 95,000

30-Aug-2016 By Nicole Sutton

A petition to save iconic London nightclub Fabric, which was closed recently, has received more than 95,000 signatures. 

Technology

Social media and the law

30-Aug-2016 By Poppleston Allen

Whether you are a social media guru or have never posted a tweet in your life, the platform is here to stay.

Legal Q&A

Onus falls on the police if an officer drinks a beer

30-Aug-2016 By Poppleston Allen

Police drinking, jazz festival restrictions and what to do with an assault charge.

Bar Talk

How do you combat drug problems in your pub and do you involve the police?

30-Aug-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

This week's bar talk looks at how to combat issues around drug use in your venue.

Licensing

Bar licence revoked due to 'excessive drunkenness and violence'

22-Aug-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

A bar in East Sussex has had its licence suspended for two weeks following incidents including “excessive drunkenness and violence”.

Licensing

Pub’s late licence reduction “an appalling decision”

18-Aug-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

A decision to reduce a Bedfordshire pub’s licence has been called “appalling” on a petition the licensee has started to restore its late-night licence.

London

Club closed following teen drug deaths

16-Aug-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

A London nightclub has closed for the foreseeable future after two 18-year-old men died in the past nine weeks following drug overdoses. 

Copyright

Licensee slapped with £74,000 fine for breaching Sky copyright

05-Aug-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

The licensee of a Birmingham pub has been ordered to pay more than £70,000 to Sky after she was found to be broadcasting sports from the TV giant illegally.

Licensing

Camden licensing proposals would 'damage' local pubs

01-Aug-2016 By Oli Gross

Camden Council has proposed changes to its licensing policy in ways that would 'damage local pub businesses', the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has claimed.

Airports

Could this be the end of airport boozing?

01-Aug-2016 By Oli Gross

The sale of alcohol in airports is to be examined by the new aviation minister in a drive to prevent booze-related incidents on flights.

'Every pub does it': Pub loses licence after 8am lock-ins

29-Jul-2016 By Oli Gross

A distraught publican's licence has been revoked by the local council after a string of late-night lock-ins at the pub.

Police

Police conduct 'drug walk-throughs' in Nottinghamshire

29-Jul-2016 By Oli Gross

Police have conducted drug ‘walk-throughs’ in pubs in Nottinghamshire, using drug wipes to test for traces of cocaine in toilets.

Licensing

Pub served closure notice for serving under-18s

28-Jul-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

A Southampton pub has been issued a temporary closure notice after staff served alcohol to two 16-year-olds, and subsequently sacked the employee.

Licensing

Why aren't pubs selling under-18s beer?

28-Jul-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

Under-18s can legally purchase low and non-alcoholic beer in pubs, however, many pubs will not permit these sales.

George Tavern

Courts protect famous music pub in landmark victory

05-Jul-2016 By Oli Gross

A famous live music pub has won a legal battle against the development of nearby block of flats, in a decision which has been hailed as a landmark victory for grassroots music venues.

legal

Can UK police impose a 'Euro 2016 style' alcohol ban across entire cities?

04-Jul-2016 By Poppleston Allen

Can the police do what they did in France during Euro 2016 and impose alcohol bans across entire areas? PMA legal experts Poppleston Allen investigate.

Legal advice

How to get involved in the alcohol delivery trend

04-Jul-2016 By Poppleston Allen

This week's legal Q&A looks at issues around delivering alcohol from your pub - and selling to shift workers in the early hours.

Legislation

House of Lords launches enquiry into Licensing Act 2003

01-Jul-2016 By Liam Coleman

A House of Lords committee, set up especially to look at the Licensing Act 2003 and the liberalisation of opening hours, has launched its investigation. 

legal advice

Door staff: Quality is key to success

24-Jun-2016 By Poppleston Allen

Door staff are often the first line of defence - but also need to reassure customers and make them feel safe and secure. 

Legal

How to avoid dress code issues in the pub trade

24-Jun-2016 By Poppleston Allen

There has been a lot of press coverage recently about dress codes in the workplace — a waitress being forced to wear heels in the workplace resulting in bleeding feet and, in another example, a receptionist turning up to work in flat shoes and being sent...

Legal advice

What are the rules on betting in pubs?

24-Jun-2016 By Poppleston Allen

This week's legal Q&A focuses on the issue of pub betting regulations.

Legal Q&A

Planning changes: Which application first?

17-Jun-2016 By Poppleston Allen

What application needs to come first when converting a bank into a pub? Change of use or a premise licence?

Poppleston Allen

Legal advice: Premise licence variations

17-Jun-2016 By Poppleston Allen

There are many reasons why a licence holder may wish to change the terms of their premises licence.

Legal advice

Vaping: what is the law for pubs?

16-Jun-2016 By Poppleston Allen

E-cigarettes are another example of operators taking charge and banning otherwise perfectly legal habits.

Legal Advice

When to serve alcohol to 16 & 17 year olds with a meal

16-Jun-2016 By Poppleston Allen

A question of boundaries arises in relation to children being permitted on licensed premises and 16 and 17-year-olds being able to drink alcohol with a meal.

Legal advice

What if someone wears an offensive tee shirt in your pub?

16-Jun-2016 By Poppleston Allen

As the case of the offensive Hillsborough tee shirt shows, operators struggle with where to draw the line with unacceptable customer behaviour - and when to act. Legal experts Poppleston Allen offers advice.