License - Hospitality

Pub gaming is under control

07-Nov-2011 By Peter Coulson

Whatever claims politicians make about the removal of red tape, those in the licensed trade know only too well that nothing actually gets any better.

BII hunts for licensee of the year

02-Nov-2011 By Adam Pescod

The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) is welcoming entries for its Licensee of the Year Award, which has now entered its 27th year.

Home Office: no ban on late night pubs during Olympics

25-Oct-2011 By Adam Pescod

The Home Office has rejected claims made in last night’s Evening Standard (24 October) that all late-night drinking licences will be banned during next summer’s London Olympics.

Minor variations, major grief

24-Oct-2011 By Peter Coulson

I am continuing to receive reports from licensees in many parts of the country about the refusal of minor variations to their premises licences.

Don’t roll over, fight for what you believe

21-Oct-2011

Following the recent highly publicised partial success in the European Court of Justice by Hampshire licensee Karen Murphy and the Premier League on the issue of satellite screenings of football, should we all not be thinking now is the time to stand...

‘No reason’ for SIA fees rise, says BII

21-Oct-2011

Neil Robertson, chief executive of the BII (British Institute of Innkeeping), says he sees no reason why licence fees for doorstaff should increase under the new licensing regime that’s set to go live in 2014.

Lava Ignite's licence suspended over student death

20-Oct-2011 By Gurjit Degun

Nightclub operator Luminar’s Lava & Ignite site in Northampton town centre has had its license suspended after a student was crushed to death yesterday morning at the venue.

Reforms are just window dressing

19-Oct-2011 By Peter Coulson

Nothing changes much in Government. I well remember the Labour administration producing a long list of the ‘reforms’ that they intended to bring to licensing, most of which were already under discussion when they started the exercise, and several of which...

BII and Downs Solicitors LLP to hold seminar for prospective licensees

18-Oct-2011 By Adam Pescod

The BII is to hold a seminar next month, with the help of Downs Solicitors LLP, to offer support and advice to anyone thinking of taking on a pub.

Pubwatch’s beneficial effect on the industry

14-Oct-2011 By Dave Daly

Over the years I’ve been involved in the Blackpool pubwatch as a committee member. I was lucky enough to get on to the national committee also; my role now is their man in northern Lancashire. I visit watches around the Lancashire area.

The limits of responsibility

11-Oct-2011 By Peter Coulson

There is really nothing new in licensing. I see that a great fuss is being made in certain circles about a recent case concerning noise from departing customers.

Trade bodies in late night levy talks

07-Oct-2011 By Michelle Perrett

Pub trade bodies are meeting with Home Office officials and local authorities to discuss the implementation of the late-night levy (LNL) and early-morning restriction orders (EMROs).

Music bonanza warning

29-Sep-2011 By Michelle Perrett

The Association for Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) has stressed that pubs with live music restrictions on their licence will not benefit from the government’s plans for deregulation.

No mention of licensing issues

28-Sep-2011 By Peter Coulson

As I predicted, the final stages of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill were taken up with a last-ditch attempt to derail the Government’s proposals for elected commissioners of police and the licensing aspects were not touched upon at all.

Free 'Challenge 25' training for Scottish licensees

28-Sep-2011 By Michelle Perrett

Licensees in Scotland will be able to access free age verification training worth £35,000 through a partnership between drinks giant Diageo and CPL Training.

Singing consultation’s praises

26-Sep-2011 By Peter Coulson

It seems that the very persistent lobbying by the music industry, coupled with the sterling efforts of Lord Clement-Jones and his advisors, has at last borne fruit.

SBPA backs pubs on Challenge 25

07-Sep-2011 By Michelle Perrett

The Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA) has launched a new Challenge 25 initiative to ensure pubs comply with new proof-of-age regulations, which come into force next month.

The only constant is change

06-Sep-2011 By Peter Coulson

Some years’ ago, when children’s certificates were first introduced in Scotland, there was much criticism of licensing boards for seeking to impose a range of conditions concerning child welfare and maternal protection — even including strictures on breast...

Licence reviews up 19%; fall in revocations

16-Aug-2011 By John Harrington, M&C Report

The number of alcohol licence reviews in the on-trade increased 19% last year, fuelled by a rising number of requests from police. However, despite...

Pub sales: the right to restrict

15-Aug-2011 By Peter Coulson

It is no surprise to me that certain breweries and other owners are continuing to reserve their right to impose a restrictive covenant when pubs are sold, writes Peter Coulson.

Support growing for PPL boycott campaign

11-Aug-2011 By Adam Pescod

A Sheffield licensee calling for a boycott against the music royalties company PPL says he has had a "positive response" to a campaign he launched...

Coulson: Dancing to a complex tune

02-Aug-2011 By Peter Coulson

The nature of the Lords' discussion on the Live Music Bill shows how complicated this area of the law has become, writes Peter Coulson.

Coulson: Test purchasing back in spotlight

27-Jul-2011 By Peter Coulson

A standardised approach to test purchasing would be welcomed if it benefits licensees and trainers, writes Peter Coulson.

Strong-arm tactics hit trade

15-Jul-2011 By Peter Coulson

Over the past year there has been increasing concern about the advice given to police forces from the Home Office in relation to licensed premises....

Fury over tougher licence restrictions

14-Jul-2011 By John Harrington

Licensees and pub operators in Brighton have attacked the council's plan to extend the city's cumulative impact zone (CIZ) by almost two-thirds.

Licensee in dispute with PPL over licence charge

13-Jul-2011 By Adam Pescod

A Norfolk licensee is locked in a dispute with music licensing company PPL after they charged him for a licence when his pub was not yet open. The...

SIA 'meets more targets'

12-Jul-2011 By John Harrington, M&C Report

Doorstaff regulator the Security Industry Authority (SIA) says it's continuing to improve the efficiency of its service as it reported a deficit of...

Home Office withdraws Section 19 guidance

08-Jul-2011 By Gurjit Degun

The Home Office has withdrawn guidance to police and licensing officers on how to operate Section 19 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act, the...

One objector can cause havoc

28-Jun-2011 By Peter Coulson

In some cases a licensing committee will use a single objection as a green light for raising issues about your pub themselves, writes Peter Coulson.

Weymouth pubs foresee loss of Olympic profits

24-Jun-2011 By Adam Pescod

Licensees in Weymouth look set to miss out on vital Olympics revenue next summer due to a new council policy on outside seating.

Tell authorities of plan changes

21-Jun-2011 By Peter Coulson

Licensees could face prosecution or a licence review if they fail to inform the relevant authorities of plan changes, warns Peter Coulson.

Licensees reveal red-tape pet hates

09-Jun-2011 By Michelle Perrett

Abolish annual licence renewals, return licensing control to magistrates and deregulate entertainment, say licensees.

Trade must fight instant pub closures

08-Jun-2011 By Peter Coulson

Two more glaring examples of police misuse of their closure powers have come to light recently, involving two different parts of the law. In the...

Is live music off the hook?

07-Jun-2011 By Peter Coulson

Publican's Morning Advertiser legal expert Peter Coulson believes things are definitely moving in the right direction in regard to live music.

Council orders DPS change after death

03-Jun-2011 By Adam Pescod

Councillors in Middlesbrough have ordered that the DPS of a pub be replaced following the death of one of its regulars.

'Last chance for pubs to reduce red tape'

25-May-2011 By Michelle Perrett

The BII is urging publicans to tell the Government about their vital red tape concerns by 2 June.

De-regulation of live music licensing likely for Autumn

20-May-2011 By John Harrington and Michelle Perrett

Radical de-regulation of live music licensing for small venues could be in place as early as the autumn, the Government has said. The news comes in...

'Licensees unsure about dispute resolution'

18-May-2011 By Michelle Perrett

A high number of licensees are still unsure where to turn when they are in dispute with their pubco, it was revealed today. The news was unveiled...

Scots call for licensing level playing field

16-May-2011 By Lesley Foottit

A campaign has been launched to "level the playing field" regarding treatment of the on and off-trade by licensing boards.

Licensee vowes not to serve former landlord

26-Apr-2011 By Michelle Perrett

A Devon pub has been given a reprieve after the new licensee vowed not to serve her partner, the former landlord, according to a report in the Herald...

Newquay pubs move to Challenge-25

20-Apr-2011 By Ewan Turney

Pubs and off-licences in Newquay have agreed to adopt a Challenge-25 policy ahead of the expected summer invasion of youngsters. The move is part of...

No late licence complaints, says court

18-Apr-2011 By Peter Coulson & Michelle Perrett

Local authorities are not able to accept late complaints from local residents on premises licences, a judgement in the Court of Appeal confirmed last...

Police pub clampdown is 'abuse'

14-Apr-2011 By Graham Ridout

Licensees are being threatened with arrest and pubs with closure in a clampdown by police forces across the country, which has been labelled "an...

BBPA unveils red tape concerns

14-Apr-2011 By Michelle Perrett

The British Beer & Pub Association has unveiled its major concerns for industry over red tape.

Pub licence fees set to soar after LGA lobbying

31-Mar-2011 By James Wilmore

Pubs face a major hike in licence fees after local councils convinced the government the current system is unsustainable and has cost tax payers...

Postcode lottery for licence fees

31-Mar-2011 By John Harrington, M&C Report

Licensees and pub operators could face a postcode lottery over the size of their licence fees from 2012. One trade body has warned it could lead to a £100m increase in licence fee costs for pubs across the country.