Legislation

Gambling White Paper shows 'positive steps'

28-Apr-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The white paper on gambling provides an “opportunity to improve” protection in pubs and demonstrated “positive steps” towards “fairness”, trade bodies from across the sector have stated.

LICENSING HUB - LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

Extended hours for the King’s coronation weekend

28-Apr-2023 By Jonathan Smith, managing partner, Poppleston Allen

In 1952, the last time we enjoyed a good old knees up at a coronation, the sale of alcohol was governed by the Licensing Act 1921, pubs were faced with many of the restrictions that had applied during the First World War, such as the afternoon break and...

NTIA welcomes stringent taxi legislation

28-Apr-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has welcomed toughened taxi licensing legislation that will help ensure hospitality staff and customers are safer while travelling at night.

Sector can be 'catalyst for growth' with local authority backing

27-Apr-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The hospitality sector can be a “catalyst for growth” in communities with support from local authorities, trade body UKHospitality (UKH) has stated.

New Gov support could save some firms 20% on energy bills

26-Apr-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Energy intensive businesses, including breweries, could save 20% on predicted wholesale energy prices under new Government support as part of the Energy Bill Discount Scheme (EBDS).

BrewDog plants 500,000 trees, 750 applications for Next Unicorn

26-Apr-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Scottish brewer and bar operator BrewDog has planted more than 500,000 trees in The Lost Forest.

Fake review ban ‘will help deliver fairness’

25-Apr-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Trade body UKHospitality (UKH) has welcomed draft legislation on fake reviews as it said they do “irreparable damage to businesses”.

Pubs need VAT reduction to avoid further closures

25-Apr-2023 By Rebecca Weller

More than two fifths of operators stated a VAT reduction would help the sector avoid further closures.

Being a good employer is a 'difficult balancing act'

25-Apr-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Keeping balance amid “off the scale” challenges is “crucial” to being a good pub employer, according to Barons Pub Company managing director Clive Price.

Vote now: how can Gov best support your pub?

21-Apr-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Trade body UKHospitality (UKH) has called for “swift action” from the Government to “curb” cost increases.

Pubs to benefit from amendments to DRS

21-Apr-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Changes to the proposed Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in Scotland that are set to benefit pubs and craft drinks producers have been welcomed by the Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA).

Former GBPA finalist bans phones ahead of Gov emergency alert test

20-Apr-2023 By Rebecca Weller

A Somerset-based pub has asked customers to leave their phones at home during Sunday lunch service on 23 April to avoid “unnecessary intrusion” from the Government's new Emergency Alert system test.

Star to pay £1.25m settlement over pubs code breaches

19-Apr-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Star Pubs & Bars has agreed to pay £1.25m to end a High Court litigation with the pubs code adjudicator (PCA) that began in 2019 after an investigation was launched into the pubco breaching the pubs code.

UKH urges Gov to 'take action' to tackle staffing crisis

19-Apr-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Trade body UKHopsitality (UKH) has urged the Government to "take action" to alleviate continuing labour issues for hospitality firms.

Trade bodies 'welcome' DRS delay

19-Apr-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The delay to the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in Scotland has been welcomed by trade bodies across the sector.

'Strength in numbers' needed to fight energy crisis

17-Apr-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The hospitality sector needs "strength in numbers" to challenge the cost of energy bills, night-time economy adviser for Greater Manchester, Sacha Lord, has stated.

City pub faces closure after ‘devastating’ arbitration judgment

14-Apr-2023 By Orla Noonan

An independent pub in King's Cross, London, is facing permanent closure following an “incomprehensible” arbitration order to pay £99,000 in rent for the pandemic period.

LICENSING HUB - LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

How to run a raffle in your pub

13-Apr-2023 By Imogen Moss, associate solicitor, Poppleston Allen

As summer fete season draws ever nearer I am sure many venues will be thinking about running raffles.

More than 150 pubs lost so far this year

11-Apr-2023 By Rebecca Weller

More than 150 pubs disappeared from English and Welsh communities during the first three months of 2023, new figures from real estate intelligence firm Altus Group have revealed.

FEATURE – Business development managers

FEATURE: Why the BDM is a Star attraction

06-Apr-2023 By Gary Lloyd

One of the most important people in the life of a licensee is their business development manager (BDM), in this feature we learn a little about two people and their roles in the Star Pubs & Bars set-up.

Cowboy surveyors on the rise as Gov urged to reconsider rates reforms

05-Apr-2023 By Orla Noonan

Colliers has warned of an increase in “rogue” rating surveyors following the introduction of the 2023 Ratings Revaluation.

Business rates reform will cost sector even more

05-Apr-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The promised reform of business rates will not cut costs for the sector but will, conversely, include a 7.1% increase in rateable values, according to property expert Colliers.

LICENSING HUB – LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

Pavement licences could become a level playing field

05-Apr-2023 By Andy Grimsey, associate solicitor, Poppleston Allen

If you have tables and chairs outside your premises on pavement owned by your local authority then you almost certainly will be in possession of a piece of paper issued by the local authority allowing you to do so.

Concerns raised about Protection Bill

04-Apr-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Staff could sue employers if customers offended them under the proposed Workers Protection Bill, but trade bodies are concerned about its delivery.

Gov to offer energy tips through mass media campaign

04-Apr-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The Government is set to plough money into a mass media campaign in a bid to help businesses save cash through energy efficiency tips.

‘National scandal’ warning over energy firms’ practices

04-Apr-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Ofgem has been urged to launch an investigation and back the cancellation of exit fees for sector businesses from onerous energy bills.

Pubs could save over £5k with new rates values

03-Apr-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Pubs could save an average of more than £5,000 under the new commercial property values introduced on Saturday 1 April, data from real estate intelligence firm Altus Group has revealed.

THE LOCK IN PODCAST

How important is tipping in pubs?

03-Apr-2023 By Ed Bedington

The latest episode of the podcast saw the team look at service charge and tipping as a new bill goes through parliament.

OPINION

All change for tipping as new legislation draws closer

03-Apr-2023 By Peter Davies, managing director, WMT Troncmaster Services

The Employment (Allocation of Tips) Bill passed another stage of its Parliamentary journey this week.

New bill aims to 'modernise' business rates system

31-Mar-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The Government has announced a new non-domestic rating bill to support businesses by “modernising” the business rates system.

Welsh visitor levy plans ‘disappointing’

31-Mar-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has warned plans for Welsh tourists to pay an extra fee overnight would “hit hospitality hard”.

Sector faces extra £7.3bn energy bill as support ‘significantly reduced’

31-Mar-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Sector businesses are facing a hike of £7.3bn in energy bill costs as the Energy Bill Discount Scheme is introduced tomorrow (Saturday 1 April), according to UKHospitality (UKH).

NLW rise, EBRS change and tourism tax to be implemented tomorrow

31-Mar-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Amid the cost-of-living crisis, the sector is continuing to face ongoing challenges as Government help is scaled back from tomorrow (Saturday 1 April).

Manchester tourism tax 'disappointing' for pubs

30-Mar-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Now is “not the time” to introduce tourism taxes and place “additional deterrents” on consumers, according to the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA).

SLTA calls for 'urgent reset' from new SNP leader

28-Mar-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) has “congratulated” Humza Yousaf on his appointment as the new leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP).

Prime Minister visits Carlsberg-owned brewery

27-Mar-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The Prime Minister got hands on with brewing when he visited West Midlands-based Banks’s Brewery in Wolverhampton.

JDW and AB InBev in T-bar tap court dispute

27-Mar-2023 By Gary Lloyd

JD Wetherspoon’s (JDW) deal to serve AB InBev’s beers is in peril as the pair begin a high court legal dispute over beer fonts.

Trade body welcomes nitrous oxide ban

27-Mar-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has welcomed the Government’s ban of nitrous oxide gas, after the drug had put “immense pressure” on the late-night sector.

Rising costs leave firms with 'stark choices'

24-Mar-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Tackling the main drivers of inflation and offering hospitality firms “enhanced support” would “reduce the need” for interest rate increases, UKHospitality (UKH) chief executive Kate Nicholls has stated.

7 days until ‘energy tipping point’ for pubs

24-Mar-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

The closure of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS) for firms has the potential to mean companies are forced to close, downsize or restructure, a business organisation has warned.

Licensing hub - legal with Poppleston Allen

Crime scene prevention

23-Mar-2023 By Andy Grimsey, senior consultant solicitor, Poppleston Allen

It is a sad fact of life that a serious incident can happen even in the best-run venues and while the chances may be small in your pub, the consequences can be severe.

OPINION

MRO made more accessible

23-Mar-2023 By Fiona Dickie, pubs code adjudicator

It has been a busy few weeks for the pubs code adjudicator (PCA).

Average energy bill to soar by more than £18k

23-Mar-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

The average energy bill for a pub is set to increase by £18,400 when the Government’s energy relief for businesses ends on 31 March.

RMT offer acceptance 'encouraging news' for sector

21-Mar-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The end of the RMT union's trade dispute with Network Rail is “encouraging news” for the hospitality sector, UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls stated.

Economy boss praises Manchester on return to pre-Covid levels

20-Mar-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Data that shows footfall in Manchester has returned to pre-pandemic levels has been praised by Night-Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester Sacha Lord.

PCA issues statutory guidance to 'remove MRO barriers'

17-Mar-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The pubs code adjudicator (PCA) has issued statutory guidance for pub companies regarding market-rent-only (MRO) options and upfront front costs to “remove barriers for tenants”.

LICENSING HUB - LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

Staying secure against rogue security operatives

17-Mar-2023 By Joe Harvey, associate solicitor, ​Poppleston Allen

A man goes to a club and is stopped by the bouncer. “No tie, no entry” he says. The man walks back to his car and desperately searches for the required neckwear.

Review of the Week

‘Politics back to normal’

17-Mar-2023 By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington caught up with UKHospitality boss Kate Nicholls to get her take on the week's news, which has seen the Spring Budget announced, Ofgem's letter to Government and potential train strike breakthroughs.

Momentum gained on petition to reduce VAT to 10%

17-Mar-2023 By Gary Lloyd

More than 12,000 people have signed an official parliament petition to reduce the VAT rate on hospitality businesses to 10%.

SPRING BUDGET 2023

Duty inequality with supermarkets 'economically counterproductive'

16-Mar-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The draught duty relief announced in the Spring Budget is a “positive step”, but anything less than “equality” with supermarkets is “economically counterproductive”, according to industry leaders.