Law

Pubs urged to give staff choice about face masks

04-Aug-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Operators considering banning face masks for staff members should look to give teams the freedom to choose instead, the trade has been warned.

Operators warned of fines for unlicenced cocktail deliveries

11-Mar-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Pub operators have been warned that they need special permission from HMRC for the off-sale of pre-mixed cocktails.

Extend commercial eviction ban until July, campaign urges

25-Feb-2021 By Emily Hawkins

A campaign for a three-month extension of the commercial eviction moratorium and flexibility on rent repayments, has been launched.

Arrests made after series of ‘dine and dash’ incidents

19-Nov-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Two people have been arrested and released pending further enquiries in connection with series of incidents where offenders made off without payment from restaurants and pubs across three counties.

86% of operators anticipating negative trade impact from ‘rule of six’

17-Sep-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

The majority of hospitality business operators expect the Government’s ‘rule of six’ to have a negative impact on trade when entering autumn, new figures have revealed.

‘Rule of six’ comes into force today

14-Sep-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

The Government’s ‘rule of six’ will be enforced from today (Monday 14 September) meaning those breaking it could be arrested.

#unitedwestand

Plastic straw ban delayed, Government to press on with business rates revaluation bill

29-Apr-2020 By Stuart Stone

The Morning Advertiser takes a look at the impact the Covid-19 outbreak has had on Government legislation and what knock-on effects that could have on the pub sector.

Irwin Mitchell appoints Punch director in retail push

27-Sep-2018 By Emily Hawkins

Law firm Irwin Mitchell has appointed Punch’s Stuart Gallyot as a non-executive director within its business legal services division.

Poppleston Allen promotes Steve Burnett to associate

11-Sep-2018 By Emily Hawkins

Alcohol licensing law firm Poppleston Allen has announced a promotion for solicitor Steve Burnett to associate as of this month.

5 things employers need to know about references

11-Sep-2018 By Emily Hawkins

A reference can mean make or break for a job applicant. Employers should know what is required of them when requesting or providing references.

Should court proceedings take place in pubs?

01-Aug-2018 By Emily Hawkins

Courts should sit in pubs and other public venues to make the legal process more accessible, the country’s top family division judge suggested as he left his post.

How to remove malicious TripAdvisor reviews

09-Mar-2018 By James Beeson

It’s every licensee’s worst nightmare. A wholly untrue and malicious review, posted on the internet on a website that refuses to take it down.

Advice sets out the PCA's expectations in relation to MRO-compliant proposals

05-Mar-2018 By Stuart Stone

Pubs code adjudicator Paul Newby and deputy Fiona Dickie published statutory advice on 2 March to clarify the terms of market-rent-Only (MRO) tenancy options following recent arbitration awards.

Employment law advice for pubs facing snow disruption

01-Mar-2018 By Stuart Stone

Law firm and employment specialists Blake Morgan has published employment law guidelines for businesses affected by snow disruption.

Ei appeals pubs code adjudicator decision at High Court

22-Jan-2018 By Georgina Townshend

The Ei Group is "awaiting a decision" from the High Court after it appealed an award made by the pubs code adjudicator (PCA).

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.

Pub CCTV leads to eight-year prison sentence for man found guilty of manslaughter

12-Oct-2017 By Georgina Townshend

A pub’s clear CCTV footage led to the sentencing of a man who killed a father-of-eight inside the premises with a “single punch”.

What can publicans do if squatters come calling?

23-Jun-2017 By Fred A'Court

What can a pub do if travellers or squatters simply turn up and camp outside the premises? Any unlawful occupation can be distressing and stressful, but under common law the land owner has a right to evict people to regain possession.

BrewDog makes amends with Wolf bar by collaborating on gin

20-Jun-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

BrewDog has made amends with the owners of an independent Birmingham bar after the Scottish brewer came under fire for forcing the venue to change its name by threatening it with legal action.

Legal expert warns licensees about sharing CCTV footage

27-Mar-2017 By Liam Coleman

Licensing law expert Stephen Walsh has warned licensees that they must find themselves on the right side of the law when it comes to CCTV footage.

BrewDog under fire after forcing independent pub to change its name

27-Mar-2017 By Daniel Woolfson

BrewDog has come under fire for forcing an independent Birmingham pub to change its name by threatening it with legal action. 

Illegal sport broadcasting equipment supplier fined £250,000

10-Mar-2017 By Liam Coleman

A Hartlepool man was handed a £250,000 fine and suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to selling illegal Kodi boxes last week.

Greene King lawyers urge minister to clear up stocking rights

02-Feb-2017 By Michelle Perrett

Greene King's lawyers have written to Greg Clark, Secretary of State for the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), calling for an amendment on stocking rights in the pubs code.

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 Act 2003

Legal analysis: expert opinion sought by Lords

23-Nov-2016 By Poppleston Allen

Legal experts Poppleston Allen reveal some of the questions asked at the panel session held at the House of Lords select committee this month (November).

Licensing

Legal Q & A: Closure notice and neighbour issues

23-Nov-2016 By Poppleston Allen

This week's legal Q & A looks at a closure order and a complaint from a new neighbour.

Bar staff insider

Bar staff insider: proof of ID and how to deal with those who haven't got it

17-Oct-2016 By Bar staff insider

With Freshers’ Week still in the minds of bar staff up and down the country, asking customers for ID can drop you into a sticky situation.

Health and Safety

Pub hit with £790 fine for failing to display hygiene rating

27-Jun-2016 By Oli Gross

A licensee has been ordered to pay £790 for failing to display a food hygiene rating of two out of five.

Legal advice

Beware of the appeals 'lottery'

20-May-2016 By Poppleston Allen

We are now into the 11th year since ‘licensing reform’ and the old system is becoming a dot on the horizon; anyone involved in the industry for fewer than 10 years is likely to think a ‘transfer session’ means a football transfer window-inspired drinking...

Illegal football

Licensee hit with £85k fine for showing Sky Sports with residential viewing card

20-May-2016 By Oli Gross

A licensee has been slapped with a record £85,307.17 fine after being caught airing Sky Sports illegally at her pub.

Legislation

Pubs code: Trade bodies band together to offer support to licensees

20-Apr-2016 By Emily Sutherland

Leading trade bodies the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR), the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) and the Federation of Licensed Victuallers Association (FLVA) have come together to offer licensees support and guidance on the statutory...

Hungry Horse

Greene King: Kids 'meeting with PAW Patrol characters' cancelled due to Nickelodeon legal threat

15-Feb-2016 By Emily Sutherland

Greene King pubs have cancelled children’s events planned for the half term break after being threatened with legal action from TV channel Nickelodeon.

Legal advice

Legal Q&A: Foolish whiskey move sees licence revoked

05-Feb-2016 By Poppleston Allen

This week's legal advice focuses on what happens when your licence is revoked for buying drinks on which duty has not been paid.

Legal advice

Getting the picture on CCTV

25-Nov-2015 By Poppleston Allen

There are lots of reasons why you might wish to install CCTV at your premises: to protect and reassure your customers, to protect your business (and the till), and to deter criminals.

£19k fine and prison warning for playing music without a licence

09-Nov-2015 By Oli Gross

The licensee of a London bar has been fined £19,000 for playing music illegally, and warned he faces prison with further offences.

Food safety

'Speedier fines' for law-breaking food businesses

26-Oct-2015 By Nicholas Robinson

Law-breaking food businesses, including pubs, could expect speedier fines and prosecutions as a result of the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA’s) food law prosecution database and a strategy to improve the organisation’s digital technology.

Honesty urged for new business rates

21-Sep-2015 By Michelle Perrett

The 2017 rates at your pub are being set soon. Michelle Perrett finds out why your details must be accurate.

Legal advice

CCTV: Big brother is watching...but not recording

03-Aug-2015 By Poppleston Allen

This week's legal Q&A includes issues around CCTV and service of a noise abatement notice.

Nightclub owner faces £20k fine and suspended prison sentence

30-Jun-2015 By Emily Sutherland

 A Newport bar owner has received a suspended prison sentence and been ordered to pay £20,000 for illegally playing music.

Legal advice

When is it legal to refuse entry?

21-May-2015 By James Evison

Following the judgement on Wetherspoons and travellers, where does the law stand on refusal of entry?

Advice

Legal Q&A: Appeals against licensing committees

14-May-2015 By Poppleston Allen

This week's legal Q&A includes appeals against decisions of licensing committees and when training records should be considered inadequate.

licensing

Nightclub owner receives £18k fine for playing music without licence

21-Apr-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

A nightclub owner in Wales has been ordered to pay almost £18,000 to music licensing organisation PPL, or face a prison sentence, for playing music without a licence.

How to appeal an ACV listing

12-Mar-2015 By David Brammer

Experts argue that a building in use is better than one left empty, which can happen at ACV-listed pubs. David Brammer, solicitor and head of planning at commercial law firm SGH Martineau, explains how licensees can appeal a listing

Taking the law into your own hands

22-Jan-2015 By Poppleston Allen

Now the festive period is over, many of you will be thinking of ways to maximise your profits during 2015.

Gambling Commission to appeal Greene King bingo licence decision

19-Dec-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

The Gambling Commission is looking to appeal the First-Tier Tribunal’s decision to allow Greene King a bingo licence, in order to stop commercial gambling “spreading to pubs”.

Wine bar faces prosecution after liquid nitrogen cocktail almost kills drinker

16-Dec-2014 By Mike Berry

The director and one employee of a bar where a teenage girl was seriously injured after drinking a liquid nitrogen cocktail have been charged under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Publican slams council over 'unlawful' licensing errors

11-Dec-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

A north London licensee has hit out at basic licensing errors made by his local council that sought to unlawfully restrict his trading hours over the festive period.

Legal Q&A: Number of TENs per premises and forgetting to apply

13-Nov-2014 By Poppleston Allen

This week's legal Q&A looks at the number of Temporary Event Notices allowed for each premises and the consequences of forgetting to apply.

Pubcos say statutory code 'seeks to abolish the tie by the back door'

23-Oct-2014 By James Wallin

Pubcos have ended their silence on the Government’s statutory code proposals, branding them potentially illegal and saying they would create “uncertainty and disruption” across the sector.

Parallel rent assessment provision in pubs code 'could be unlawful', claims BBPA

16-Oct-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

The Government’s inclusion of parallel rent assessments in the pub statutory code risks being unlawful if it means an adjudicator could use them as a basis to determine rent, British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) policy director Andy Tighe has warned.