Local Government

Agent-of-change principle could hit the right note

28-Feb-2018 By Poppleston Allen

There have been numerous press reports over the years regarding the closure of live music venues and the impact upon not only local communities, but also the British music industry itself.

Pubs in Manchester fail to apply for £1,000 rate relief

28-Sep-2017 By Michelle Perrett

Fewer than 50 pubs out of 223 in Manchester have applied for business rates relief of up to £1,000.

Minister puts pressure on local authorities over rate relief

18-Sep-2017 By Michelle Perrett

Local authorities have come under pressure to provide rate relief to pubs after the parliamentary under-secretary of state for Communities and Local Government and ex-pubs minister Marcus Jones said the pace had “not been acceptable”.

Sector missing £25m of pub-specific rates relief payments

14-Aug-2017 By Georgina Townshend

Pubs are still waiting to receive business rates relief payments worth up to £25m to the sector, research from the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) has found.

DCLG urges pubs to ‘chase local authorities’ for delayed rates relief

06-Jul-2017 By Georgina Townshend

Licensees should contact their local authorities if they have not had information about the £1,000 rates relief promised by Chancellor Philip Hammond, the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has said.

BBPA slams proposals for Tower Hamlets late-night levy

28-Jun-2017 By Fred A'Court

Controversial proposals for a late-night levy (LNL) in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets have again been slammed by the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA).

Government praised for ‘positive’ rates relief push

23-Jun-2017 By Georgina Townshend

The Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has issued “clear guidance” to local authorities to help speed up the business rates relief  process for pubs after industry bodies repeatedly flagged concerns about payment delays.

Best Bar None appoints new chairman

14-Jun-2017 By Georgina Townshend

Best Bar None (BBN) has revealed its new chairman will be Philip Smith – Lord Smith of Hindhead – as the initiative moves to its next stage of growth and development.

Licensees call for urgent resolution of delayed rates discounts

31-May-2017 By Liam Coleman

Ongoing delays in sending out business rates discounts to pubs have prompted licensees and pub industry bodies to call for greater urgency.

Confusion surrounds rates relief process leaving pubs in limbo

30-May-2017 By Liam Coleman

Pubs have been left in limbo after local authorities say they are still waiting for guidance from the Government on how to implement the £1,000 business rates discount promised in the spring Budget.

Lords’ Licensing Act Review: what are the odds for change?

23-May-2017 By Claire Churchard

It’s more than a month since The House of Lords select committee published proposals for a “major overhaul” of the 2003 Licensing Act. But how many of the Lords’ recommendations are likely to be implemented by the next Government?

General election will not delay business rates relief, says DCLG

25-Apr-2017 By Georgina Townshend

Access to discretionary business rates relief payments for pubs will not be delayed by the snap general election, the DCLG has confirmed.

Major overhaul proposed for ‘fundamentally flawed’ Licensing Act

04-Apr-2017 By Liam Coleman

The chair of the House of Lords inquiry into the Licensing Act 2003 has described the legislation as “fundamentally flawed”, and a number of proposals have been made to fix it in a report published today (4 April).

Hartlepool council delays EMRO decision until summer

30-Mar-2017 By Liam Coleman

Hartlepool Borough Council has pushed back a decision on introducing an early morning restriction order (EMRO) this week.

Government supports amendment that protects pubs from change of use

24-Mar-2017 By Georgina Townshend

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has confirmed the Government will support an amendment that will make it harder for big chains and developers to buy out individual pubs.

Trade reiterates calls for alternative to late-night levy

16-Mar-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Trade bodies have strengthened calls for an alternative approach to Gloucester’s late-night levy and to look at nearby Cheltenham for inspiration.

Ground-breaking move means Cheltenham late-night levy will be canned

27-Feb-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Cheltenham Borough Council has decided to scrap its late-night levy in favour of a business improvement district (BID), a decision that is the first of its kind.

Industry welcomes second phase of the local alcohol action areas

30-Jan-2017 By Helen Gilbert

The industry has welcomed the second phase of the local alcohol action areas (LAAAs) programme aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm, crime and disorder, which the Home Office said costs England and Wales an estimated £11bn per year.

BBPA disappointment over Tower Hamlets late-night levy

20-Jan-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

The BBPA has said it is disappointed in Tower Hamlets Council’s decision to implement a late-night levy this summer (June).

Bed tax

Local authorities urged not to consider bed tax

12-Jan-2017 By Michelle Perrett

The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) has urged local authorities to avoid new tax burdens on operators.

NOISE COMPLAINTS

Pub slams 'ridiculous Grinch w*****' over Christmas noise complaints

09-Dec-2016 By Daniel Woolfson

A pub took to social media with a witty tirade after a neighbour complained to the council about noise from its community Christmas market.

Licensing statistics

Only 11% of pubs, bars and restaurants have 24-hour licences

02-Dec-2016 By Michelle Perrett

Only 11% of pubs, bars and restaurants in England and Wales have 24-hour licences, latest Home Office statistics have revealed.

Business rates

Pubs minister: ‘13,000 pubs potentially eligible for 100% small-business rate relief’

30-Nov-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

Pubs minister Andrew Percy has revealed that 13,000 pubs could be eligible for complete small-business rate relief, following the Autumn Statement. 

LATE-NIGHT LEVY

British Beer & Pub Association calls for Cheltenham to scrap late-night levy

18-Nov-2016 By Michelle Perrett

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has urged Cheltenham Borough Council to abolish its late-night levy (LNL) in a response to its latest consultation.

Legislation

Campaigners demand city-wide pub protection for Brighton

26-Oct-2016 By Daniel Woolfson

Campaigners trying to save a Brighton freehouse that was turned into a furniture shop 'overnight' have called on the local council to protect the city’s pubs.

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.

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.

Wandsworth

Analysis: Wandsworth's pub protection should set a precedent

02-Sep-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

Wandsworth Council has taken the first new step in a bid to stop pubs being changed from their original use without council approval. Here, we look at what the move means and whether it is the silver bullet needed to save pubs. Nikkie Sutton reports.

Legislation

What if your hands are ACV tied?

26-Jul-2016 By James Evison

The listing of pubs as assets of community value (ACVs) has caused controversy in the trade. The latest figures from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) show 1,500 pubs across the country now have the status. But what can you do if your pub is listed as...

Licensing Act 2003

Lords licensing committee to quiz think-tanks on Act

18-Jul-2016 By James Evison

The House of Lords committee assessing the Licensing Act 2003 and the liberalisation of opening hours will hear from experts tomorrow (Tuesday 19 July).

Works Must Pay campaign

Call on your MP for roadworks help

04-Jul-2016 By Oli Gross

The Publican’s Morning Advertiser (PMA) is stepping up its roadworks compensation campaign for pubs. Oli Gross reports.

Councils

Council set to scrap late-night levy

14-Jun-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

Cheltenham Borough Council moving towards the introduction of a Business Improvement District (BID) charge instead of the late-night levy in the town.

CAMRA & BBPA

Report: Councils should ditch Late Night Levies for partnerships

19-Apr-2016 By Oli Gross

A new report from the BBPA and CAMRA has urged councils not to impose late-night levies on the pub sector, and instead focus on community partnerships.

Publican Awards 2016: Best managed pub company (51+ sites)

14-Mar-2016 By James Evison

Having pulled off the deal of the decade to merge with Spirit, Greene King continued that success by snaring the title of Large Managed Pub Company of the Year at the Publican Awards, sponsored by CPL Training Group.

Councils

Calls to limit pub numbers slammed

24-Feb-2016 By Emily Sutherland

Calls to give local authorities greater powers to limit the number of pubs and bars in areas where they are concerned about health risks have been criticised by operators.

Nine in 10 councils want more powers to curb pub openings

17-Feb-2016 By M&C Allegra

Nine out of 10 councils want to the Licensing Act to be strengthened to “help curb the saturation of communities with pubs, clubs and off-licences selling alcohol”, according to the Local Government Association.

Food safety

Consumers' health 'put at risk' through Government budget cuts

01-Feb-2016 By Nicholas Robinson

Complaints from consumers about food quality and safety have reached a high following Government budget cuts to local authorities, which has resulted in councils failing to carry out enough food safety inspections, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has...

Legislation

Pub stripped of ACV status to become Co-op store

24-Nov-2015 By Emily Sutherland

A Surrey pub that was stripped of its asset of community value status in September will be turned in to a Co-op after Woking Borough Council approved an application for change of use.

Exclusive

ACV roundtable: Government announces probe into issue

12-Nov-2015 By Emily Sutherland

The Department for Communities & Local Government will launch a consultation into assets of community value legislation before the end of the year, the Publican's Morning Advertiser understands at its exclusive ACV roundtable.

Licensing

Call for an end to 24-hour licensing

27-Oct-2015 By Emily Sutherland

Staff from across all three emergency services have attacked 24-hour licensing, calling for a return to old pub licensing hours amid increasing concerns about the “huge strain” alcohol is putting on police, ambulance staff and firefighters.

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.

Interactive map: Country-wide update on the late-night levy

22-Oct-2015 By PMA

With Liverpool and Camden councils consulting on the introduction of a late-night levy, the Publican's Morning Advertiser examines the latest picture nationwide.

Business rates

Business rate changes labelled 'unhelpful'

05-Oct-2015 By Emily Sutherland

Chancellor George Osborne’s announcement that uniform business rates will be scrapped and councils allowed to keep all the proceeds has been labelled ‘unhelpful’ by trade bodies.

ACVs

PMA to host pub ACV roundtable debate

05-Oct-2015 By Mike Berry

The PMA has teamed up with the Parliamentary Save the Pub Group to co-host a roundtable debate on the value of ACV listings to the trade.

Late night levies

Crime figures 'not impacted by LNLs'

08-Jul-2015 By Emily Sutherland

Late night levies (LNLs) have yet to have a significant impact on reducing alcohol-related crime, according to figures released by local councils.

Pub company loses review into ACV listing

12-Jun-2015 By Emily Sutherland

Pub company Faucet Inn has lost a review into whether to uphold the Dartmouth Arms listing as an asset of community value.

ACV

Navigating the ACVs minefield

22-May-2015 By Steve Culverhouse

Former licensee Steve Culverhouse who runs www.change-of-use.com talks the PMA through everything publicans need to know if they're unhappy with a listing. 

Newcastle council raises £300k from late night levy

15-May-2015 By Mike Berry

Newcastle council raised more than £300,000 in the first year after introducing a late-night levy, new figures have revealed.

Licensing

Trade figures call for review of late-night levy

13-May-2015 By Mike Berry

Senior trade figures have called on the new government to review the late-night levy (LNL) following the release of figures revealing that Cheltenham Borough Council has raised less than half the money expected from the fee and that one in five licensed...

Beware tinkering with business rates

26-Mar-2015 By David Morgan

Adopting the results of an LGA survey that calls for more powers for local councils must be treated with caution, says David Morgan, director at Morgan & Clarke chartered surveyors