Officer

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.

Legal advice

Know the details of your new pub before purchasing

12-Feb-2016 By Poppleston Allen

It is surprising how many operators still find themselves in difficulties when negotiating the acquisition of new premises to trade as a licensed venue.

Poppleston Allen

Legal advice: Planning permission pitfalls

11-Feb-2016 By Jonathan Smith & Nick Arron

One of my clients called me recently and asked about what seemed like a simple temporary change to his operation.

Legal analysis

Checking closure powers

03-Jul-2015 By James Anderson & Nick Arron, Poppleston Allen

So far as licensed premises are concerned, the main provisions of the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 came into effect on 20 October 2014, but it is only recently that we have seen evidence of these provisions being put into force.

Advice: Licence threats after noise complaints

08-Jun-2015 By Poppleston Allen

This week's legal Q&A includes advice on threats to licences following noise complaints and fights of premises.

Legal Q&A: Private birthday parties and wine measurements

05-Dec-2014 By Poppelston Allen

In this week's legal Q&A, our experts look at issues around hosting private birthday parties and wine measurements. 

8 steps to running your own bar

17-May-2013 By Poppleston Allen

You've had enough of your boring job and want to own a bar. You've seen a vacant property on the high street of your local town, but don't know where to start. Here are eight top tips to getting the bar up and running.

Make plans now to boost business at your pub

11-Jan-2013 By Poppleston Allen

You may still be recovering from an excess of Christmas spirit and be busy taking down the festive decorations, but now is the perfect time to plan for a refurbishment of your premises or an overhaul of your premises licence.

Legal tips: Dealing with the police over pub licence transfers

22-Oct-2012

I have encountered several occasions recently where objections have been made by the police over the transfer of a premises licence, and to someone named as the designated premises supervisor (DPS).

Live Music Act: Q&As on pub karaoke

01-Oct-2012

This is the second article published with the Live Music Act (LMA) 2012 having been implemented today. Last week, we analysed the definition of live music-related conditions, the enforceability of conditions placed on a premises licence after a review,...

What could be as simples as a temporary event notice?

18-Jul-2012 By Jonathan Smith

It struck me last week — while I was shaving a mere two-thirds off the cost of my home insurance through a well-known website, whose cute PR chaps sit up on their hind legs and look around — just how ‘simples’ such matters can be. I’m not sure what Aleksandr...

Licensing officers and the issue of 'discretion'

25-Jun-2012 By Jonathan Smith

As a long-time licensing practitioner I still tend to make comparisons (though increasing less so) between the ‘new’ Licensing Act and the regime prior to 2005.

Licensing applications: Don't roll over if your application has been rejected

25-May-2012 By Jonathan Smith

I have some sympathy with the Balrog in The Lord of the Rings, when faced with Gandalf’s immortal words on the bridge of Khazad-dûm: “You shall not pass!” I have heard words to similar effect from council licensing officers when served with an application...

GMB calls for guidelines over Brulines

09-Feb-2012 By Michelle Perrett

GMB, the union, has called on the Department for Business, Innovation And Skills (BIS) to issue guidance to local trading standards officers concerning Brulines, the beer-flow monitoring equipment.

Airing views on conditions

22-Nov-2011 By Peter Coulson

My recent article about minor variations provoked a strong reaction among readers who have suffered their own problems and knock-backs when they have tried to make a small change to their premises licence.

Deciding what is minor on a licence

18-Mar-2011 By Peter Coulson

The issue for applicants changing their licence is whether what they propose to change comes within the minor variation process, says Peter Coulson.

Change of use for retirement

23-Nov-2010 By Peter Coulson

To retire and use your pub as a home and not a business, you need to arrange change of use from commercial to residential, says Peter Coulson.

Branding: avoid making any substitutes

14-Jun-2010 By Peter Coulson

Brand substitution has been around for a long time and needs to be actively discouraged, for a number of reasons, says Peter Coulson.

Closures lead to more questions

02-Mar-2010 By Peter Coulson

Peter Coulson investigates the licence suspensions of Humberside pubs linked to illegal streaming (via computer) of Premiership football matches.

Court backs police right to eject pub troublemakers

08-Dec-2009 By John Harrington

The High Court has upheld the right of police to use force to eject troublemakers from pubs and stop them re-entering. It came in an appeal of Luton...

Forced to accept second best

12-Jun-2009 By Peter Coulson

Peter Coulson considers the great tied lease debate.

Minor variations should not present major challenges

15-Aug-2008 By Peter Coulson

There does seem to be a slight touch of "give them an inch and they'll take a mile" in the new consultation, says Peter Coulson.

Q&A

12-Jun-2008

Review and cancellation of personal licence Q. Can a licensing officer call in a personal licence for review and can it be cancelled, like a driving...

Licensing@aol.com

06-Mar-2008

No report of accident Q One of my part-time bar staff who has worked at this pub for many years slipped on the cellar steps and has now been off work...

Licensing@aol.com

31-Jan-2008

Time customers must leave QIn this area the police have said that only half an hour is allowed for people to remain on the premises after "time" has...

Pring: Keeping neighbours sweet

17-Jan-2008

It can take just one noise complaint to spark a licence review, warns MA editor

Licensing battleground

10-Jan-2008

Westminster is the entertainment capital of the world - but on its own terms. Increasingly, the borough is taking a tougher line on licensing as the...

Licensing@aol.com

15-Nov-2007

Raising the price of drinks Q We are the only pub in this area and do not have much local trade. Next month there is a special event nearby, with...

Offenders just can't refuse this offer

12-Apr-2007

Last Friday, a whole new wave of measures in the Violent Crime Reduction Act came into effect. Principal among them for the licensed trade was the...

Legal advice: New laws on underage sales

30-Mar-2007

An Order was made earlier this month which brings into force certain provisions of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006, part one of which gives...

Reviews of licences are a lotta do'nuts

11-Jan-2007

Reviews of premises licences are thankfully rare. But they remain an ever-present threat to licensees, because they can be started at any time, not...

Licensing@aol.com

26-Oct-2006

Appointing a deputy Q Is there such a thing as a deputy DPS? Our local officer says that when I am away I should appoint someone to take over the...

Legal advice: Are you being a nuisance?

15-Sep-2006

Publicans have many things to worry about besides revenue raised per week. They may, for instance, be concerned that they could be prosecuted or...

Charity entertainment

07-Jul-2005

Q Please can you tell me if I need a PEL for a fund-raising evening for a registered trust fund for a local disabled child? A band, consisting of...

Landlord has to contact supplier if machine fails

09-Jun-2005

QSince we changed our gaming machines, we've had complaints from one customer that one machine is not paying out properly. We have a rental agreement...

A licence at short notice

05-May-2005

QHow much notice do you have to give to the police for an occasional licence? I need to run a bar at an event next week. Would it be easier for them...

Signs can point to trouble

03-Mar-2005

QLast year I took over this pub which has painted signs in various places, three of which say "food always available". What's the legal position on...

Drinking-up and extensions

27-Nov-2003

QDoes drinking-up time apply on the end of an extension in the same way as normal time, or can the police order you to close and everyone to leave at...

Avoiding private party problems

27-Nov-2003

I have had a communication from an irate reader who says he has been banned from holding a private party in his bar after hours, because his local...

Crimes and punishments as proposed in the new Licensing Bill

13-Mar-2003

Offences and penalties you may face in the futureby David Clifton of thePublican.com's legal team of experts from London solicitors Joelson...

Drinking water provision

10-Oct-2002

QWe have been told that we have to provide free drinking water in this restaurant. We have bottled water on our wine list. Where does this idea come...

Outdoor drinking

23-Apr-2002

The sun is out and spring is fully underway. As is usual at this time of year, pub customers turn their minds to having a drink outside in the sun...

Using the force

21-Mar-2002

The Government wants extra night police to reduce alcohol-related crime. Jackie Annett asks if this is the answer and, if so, who should pay for...