Legal

LICENSING HUB - LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

Q&A: Do operators need to do anything around Martyn's Law currently?

20-Jul-2023 By Andy Grimsey, associate solicitor, Poppleston Allen

In this column, Poppleston Allen's Andy Grimsey looks at Martyn's Law and when it is set to come into force.

PROPERTY: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Investment into local communities from pubcos 'really important'

20-Jul-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Investment and commitment from pubcos into community venues is “really important” after the recent decimation of high streets, according to Admiral director of Proper Pubs Mark Brooke.

Customers less likely to visit pubs as fixed rate mortgages end

19-Jul-2023 By Gary Lloyd

As more people come off fixed mortgages there is a cash squeeze on them meaning they are less likely to visit pubs, according to research from Oxford Partnership.

Sector 'not out of the woods' as inflation eases

19-Jul-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The downturn in inflation is “positive news” for the sector but firms are not “out of the woods yet”, according to industry leaders.

Over 170 pubs join legal claim against energy giants

19-Jul-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Pubs may have overpaid by more than £1,000 per year on energy costs, a law firm has revealed as it plans to help businesses recover "secret commissions" paid to brokers by energy companies.

Warning over alcohol tax changes increasing closures

18-Jul-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

The changes to alcohol duty that are set to be implemented in a matter of weeks could intensify pub closures, the sector has been warned.

E.ON boss: sector too 'high risk' to invest in

17-Jul-2023 By Rebecca Weller

A Middlesex pub could see expansion plans “cancelled” after its energy supplier rejected an application to extend the site’s supply, deeming the entire hospitality sector too “high risk”.

MPs and campaigners voice anger over 10.1% spirits hike

17-Jul-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Cross-party MPs and campaigners have descended on Westminster to voice their anger over a tax hike that will push the price of some drinks at pubs up by 10.1%.

Late-night levy 'more targeted' despite calls to scrap it

17-Jul-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Changes to the late-night levy (LNL) show a more “targeted” approach from the Government but any extra cost will be felt “most severely” by independent businesses.

OPINION

Championing code compliance

17-Jul-2023 By Fiona Dickie, pubs code adjudicator

The role of the pubs code adjudicator is varied and one part of it involves taking time to understand how the regulated pub companies run their businesses and how they embed their code duties into their relationships with their tied tenants. The regulator...

Late-night levy changes 'damaging blow'

13-Jul-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Changes to the late-night levy (LNL) are a “damaging blow” but a “step in the right direction”, according to trade bodies across the sector.

PROPERTY ROUND-UP

Red Oak Taverns & Pubs Ltd take on pubs

12-Jul-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Red Oak Taverns has expanded its estate with two new pubs with new pubs underway from Urban Pubs & Bars and Brunning & Price co-founder Jerry Brunning.

LICENSING HUB - LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

Top tips: How to manage drunk customers in your premises this summer.

12-Jul-2023 By Elizabeth Varley, trainee solicitor, Poppleston Allen

As we edge towards the height of British summer, operators up and down the country are likely to be faced with additional customers looking to kick back and relax with a drink (or two) in their premises.

Business rates consultation 'ignores fundamental issues'

12-Jul-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The Government’s consultation into business rates, in particular Empty Property Relief (EPR), puts “additional burdens” onto ratepayers and ignores the systems “fundamental issues”.

SLTA laments move to axe night buses in Glasgow

11-Jul-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) has claimed a move to cancel night buses in Glasgow is “yet another hammer blow” for the licensed trade.

Drinks sales in growth for tenth successive week

10-Jul-2023 By Rebecca Weller

On-trade drinks sales have shown year-on-year growth for the tenth consecutive week.

How are alcohol duty rates changing?

07-Jul-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Ahead of the changes to alcohol duty rates in under a month (1 August), The Morning Advertiser takes a look at what the new system will look like.

Beavertown Brewery releases sunscreen

07-Jul-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Beavertown Brewery has launched a new sun lotion, Oil Your Neck, in a bid to raise awareness of sun safety.

APPBG highlights sectors 'immense contribution' to economy

06-Jul-2023 By Ed Bedington

With growing challenges facing the beer and pub sector, the chair of the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group (APPBG) has pledged to continue to press for change on beer duty and business rates.

LICENSING HUB - LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

Avoiding cracks in your pavement licence

05-Jul-2023 By Alex Tomlinson, trainee solicitor, Poppleston Allen

Following the overwhelming ‘Save Our Seats’ petition in Bristol City Centre recently, which petitioned for Bristol’s bars and restaurants to extend their outdoor seating areas past 10.30pm, it’s worth reviewing the current legal picture and processes...

Drinks sales up 7%

03-Jul-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Drinks sales in the on-trade were ahead of 2022 levels at the end of last month, marking the ninth consecutive week of year-on-year growth.

Drinks sales up, inflation rises, calls to scrap duty hikes

30-Jun-2023 By Rebecca Weller

June saw a variety of ups and downs for the sector, from year-on-year growth in drinks sales to rising food inflation, to DRS delay's and pleas to scrap alcohol duty hikes and pubcos "named and shamed".

SLTA: Gov move is ‘really good news’ for on-trade

30-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) has welcomed the Scottish government’s move to take action on non-domestic rates, foster closer collaboration with businesses and set up a review board in its New Deal for Business Group.

UKH: growing business costs will cause 'entrenched inflation'

29-Jun-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Forcing firms to stay locked into high-priced energy contracts as food costs soar will result in “entrenched inflation”, UKHospitality's chief executive has stated.

LICENSING HUB - LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

Top tips on use of beer gardens and outside areas

29-Jun-2023 By Natasha Beck, associate solicitor, Poppleston Allen

It would seem that we are not getting the typical two weeks of British summertime this year and it is looking like the nice weather is here to stay for a while. If this is the case then you will no doubt be looking to maximise the use of any outside space...

PROPERTY ROUND-UP

Roxy Leisure & Inception Group to launch sites

27-Jun-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

New venues are in the works from Inception Group and Roxy Leisure, and significant investments have been made by Star and Hydes to enhance their pubs for summer.

Scotland visitor levy ‘yet more red tape’ for hospitality

27-Jun-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

As the Scottish Parliament’s consultation on the proposed visitor levy opens, UKHospitality (UKH) Scotland has urged venues to respond and outline the impact it will have on their business.

London’s hospitality sector stabilises in first quarter of 2023

27-Jun-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Central London’s hospitality sector is recovering after suffering hundreds of closures of licensed premises during the turmoil of Covid, according to the latest Hospitality Market Monitor from CGA by NIQ and AlixPartners.

BBPA recommends scrutiny over MUP findings

27-Jun-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Scotland’s alcohol minimum unit pricing initiative has shown “positive” results but leaves much to be “considered” before a decision on its continuation is made.

Legalities around displaying drinks prices

27-Jun-2023 By Suraj Desor, associate solicitor, Poppleston Allen

The law on displaying prices for alcoholic drinks was changed some years ago with the introduction of The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

The Lock In Podcast

Season finale: The challenges ahead

26-Jun-2023 By Ed Bedington

With season three of the Lock In podcast coming to a close, we take a look at some of the current challenges, energy, supply, inflation etc - and where we see things heading.

July rail strikes 'hammer blow' for sector

23-Jun-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Fresh rail strikes in July will be a “hammer blow” for hospitality businesses entering the peak summer season, UKHospitality (UKH) chief executive Kate Nicholls has stated.

NTIA calls for Gov to protect security workers from violence

23-Jun-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Trade bodies have called for Government to take action to protect security workers against violence, after a new BBC report drew attention to the high levels of abuse they face in the workplace.

Interest rates hike prompts fear among trade bodies

23-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The Bank of England-imposed interest rates rise has the potential to contract the value of the hospitality economy by £4bn within four years, according to UKHospitality (UKH).

Cheap shot from Government on wages

22-Jun-2023 By Ed Bedington

The Government’s recent “naming and shaming” of companies for allegedly paying below the minimum wage feels like something of a cheap shot, certainly for those named in the hospitality sector.

LICENSING HUB - LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

Hearings – A salutary lesson

22-Jun-2023 By James Anderson, partner, Poppleston Allen

About six months ago, a colleague of mine represented an independent bar operator facing a review of his premises licence for noise issues in relation to loud music and people leaving the premises late at night. This was in a reasonably affluent suburb...

Inflation figures should be 'stark reality check' for Gov

22-Jun-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Recent inflation figures should be a “stark reality check” for the Government, the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) has stated.

PROPERTY ROUND-UP

£2.1m ploughed into pubs this week

21-Jun-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

A combined sum of £2.1m has been invested in pubs this week by Admiral Taverns and Shepherd Neame.

Fears over legislation void ‘risks threat of terrorism’

20-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

A refusal by the Government to implement legislation for security businesses is putting the sector at risk from terrorist threats, according to the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) and the UK Door Security Association (UKDSA).

More than a third have faced discrimination in sector

20-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Social enterprise Be Inclusive Hospitality’s latest report has found more than a third of hospitality workers (33.7%) have experienced discrimination in the workplace.

ASLEF July overtime ban 'another setback' for sector

20-Jun-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Next month's overtime ban from the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF) is "another setback" for the industry, trade body UKHospitality has stated.

200 pubs closed in first quarter of 2023

19-Jun-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Some 200 pubs closed their doors in the first three months of this year, according data obtained by one accountancy firm.

Star licensees given free PoS kits to support new charity deal

19-Jun-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Heineken UK has announced a new charity partnership with the Marmalade Trust in a bid to help tackle loneliness.

Drinks sales hit 15% year-on-year growth

19-Jun-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Drinks sales in managed venues achieved double-digit year-on-year growth in the seven days to Saturday 10 June, the latest Drinks Recovery Tracker from CGA by NIQ has revealed.

‘Treat potential employees as you would guests’

16-Jun-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Hospitality’s recruitment crisis can be tackled through revising the hiring process, putting wellbeing first and keeping an open mind in employment, advised the founder of consultancy agency Sixty Eight People.

Review of the Week

Reasons to be cheerful

16-Jun-2023 By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington caught up with the BII's Steve Alton to take a look at the week's events, from epic cycle rides to positive news on business rates and beyond.