Proposal

Plan to replace popular Somerset pub with petrol station labelled 'heritage vandalism'

20-Feb-2018 By Georgina Townshend

An application to demolish a former asset of community value (ACV) Hungry Horse pub with a 24-hour petrol station, beauty salon and offices has been met with fierce opposition from locals, who claim the development would "destroy the very character...

SBPA warns against proposals to introduce a pubs code in Scotland

09-Feb-2018 By Georgina Townshend

The Scottish Beer & Pub Association have called for a "rethink" on the proposed bill which would establish a pubs code in Scotland, saying that if successful, it would "cost jobs, investment and opportunities, while punishing tied-pubs...

CMA greenlights revised Heineken deal to buy Punch pubs

18-Aug-2017 By Georgina Townshend

The Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) has accepted proposals from Heineken to address concerns that its purchase of 1,900 Punch Taverns would undermine competition in certain areas.

Heineken to sell a number of pubs as part of Punch deal

27-Jun-2017 By Georgina Townshend

Heineken has offered to sell a number of pubs in 33 areas across the UK “to preserve competition and ensure customers in these locations do not lose out” as part of its Punch deal.

MA500: Licensing Act changes - what are the odds?

09-Jun-2017 By Claire Churchard

The House of Lords select committee laid out its proposals for a “major overhaul” of the Licensing Act 2003 in early April. 

Plans to demolish Marston’s pub for 79-bed care home submitted

21-Mar-2017 By Georgina Townshend

A planning application has been submitted to demolish a Marston’s pub in North Yorkshire so a care home can be built on the site.

Brighton

Proposal for "controversial changes" to licensing policy slammed

16-Oct-2015 By Oli Gross

Brighton and Hove City Council has been criticised for proposing “controversial changes” in a review of its Statement of Licensing Policy.

Licensing

Hackney Council scraps controversial late night licensing consultation

13-Aug-2015 By Emily Sutherland

Hackney Council has scrapped a consultation into a controversial licensing policy after finding mistakes on an important document.

Government planning reform proposals include changes to Article 4 directions

31-Jul-2014 By James Wallin

The Government is asking for views on its proposed reforms to the planning system.

Save the Pub Group accuses Vince Cable of 'falling into trap' on pubco reform

16-Jul-2014 By James Wallin

The Save the Pub Group has accused the Government of producing a flawed solution to pubco reform, in a strongly worded letter to Vince Cable.

Wales proposes minimum pricing and e-cigarette ban

02-Apr-2014 By Noli Dinkovski

The Welsh Government has set out its intention to introduce a minimum unit price for alcohol and is proposing to ban e-cigarettes in pubs and other enclosed spaces.

Pub closure increase feared if Government introduces proposed licence fee hike

12-Mar-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

An increasing number of pubs could be forced to close if the Home Office’s proposal for locally-set licence fees is implemented, the Manchester Pub & Club Network has warned.

Islington takes a step closer to introducing late-night levy

26-Feb-2014 By Noli Dinkovski

Islington Council appears a step closer to implementing a late-night levy (LNL) at tomorrow night’s (27th February) decisive public meeting, after it emerged that its licensing committee had already approved the proposals.

Sides clash over Punch debt restructure

22-Jan-2014 By John Harrington

Punch Taverns executive chairman Stephen Billingham and a committee representing senior Punch noteholders have clashed over the process of the company’s debt restructure.

Nottingham launches levy consultation; Blackpool sets new hearing date

07-Jan-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Pubs, bars and clubs in Nottingham will be able to submit responses to a possible late-night levy from Monday 13 January, as the council becomes the latest authority to consult on whether to introduce the fee.

Blackpool proposes alcohol advertising ban outside pubs

28-Nov-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

Pubs, clubs and off-licences in Blackpool could be forced to remove alcohol advertising after the council proposed the ban in a bid to tackle alcohol-related health problems.

Licensing professionals attack plan to scrap personal licences

06-Nov-2013 By John Harrington

An influential association that represents c2,500 professionals working in licensing has added its weight to calls to shelve plans to abolish personal licences.

Newcastle implements late-night levy; Kingston rejects EMRO; Blackpool sets EMRO hearing date

01-Nov-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

Newcastle licensees will begin paying a late-night levy today, after the local council rubber-stamped proposals to introduce the measure in June.

Warrington rejects EMRO; Woking rejects EMRO and late-night levy

16-Oct-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

Warrington Council has voted against the introduction of an early morning restriction order (EMRO) and Woking councillors have rejected plans to introduce either an EMRO or a late-night levy.

Wells & Young's to restructure production with loss of 13 jobs

30-Sep-2013 By Michelle Perrett

Wells & Young’s, the brewing division of Charles Wells,  is proposing to restructure its production operations next year, which will mean the redundancy of 13 job roles.

Industry criticises City of London's late-night levy proposal

10-Sep-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

Industry figures have spoken out against the City of London Corporation’s proposal for a late night levy, demanding further research must be undertaken and warning that a fee may undermine existing licensing policy.

Trade urges rethink over Blackpool council's EMRO plans

29-Jul-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

The pub trade has urged Blackpool council to rethink its plans for an early morning restriction order (EMRO), saying it will “devastate” the town’s tourism economy and create a “flashpoint” for violence.

Action plan for tackling EMROs

08-Jul-2013 By Poppleston Allen

You have heard from a reliable source that your licensing authority may shortly be consulting on whether or not to introduce an early-morning restriction order (EMRO). What should you do? Our action plan lays out suggested steps.

Norwich Council confirms EMRO consultation

26-Jun-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

Norwich Council has approved plans to begin consultation on a proposed Early Morning Restriction Order (EMRO).

Blackpool council confirms EMRO consultation

16-May-2013 By Mark Wingett

Blackpool Council has confirmed that it is to begin a consultation on proposals to implement an Early Morning Restriction Order (EMRO).

Parliament pubco debate: Vince Cable has “open-mind” on free-of-tie option

09-Jan-2013 By Adam Pescod

Business secretary Vince Cable said today he has an “open-mind” about a free-of-tie option for licensees being included in the new statutory code of practice for the pub industry, which he announced yesterday.

ALMR and BEDA to merge

01-Apr-2012 By John Harrington

The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) and the Bar Entertainment & Dance Association (BEDA) have announced plans to merge, creating one trade body representing more than 140 retailers operating more than 11,000 outlets.

Beware the spectre of PPL charges

14-Mar-2012 By Paul Wigham

You may have seen the PMA recently regarding the view that PPL’s proposed charges are likely to remain at recommended levels. This follows press articles about the process, including the large sums raised by the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers...

Government plans cap on late-night levy

23-Jun-2011 By John Harrington, M&C Report

The Government has insisted that councils will be restrained from charging what they like in licence fees.

Planning policy could help leisure businesses

22-Jun-2011 By John Harrington, M&C Report

Proposed changes to planning policy should make it easier for leisure-sector businesses to gain planning permission, although a number of barriers...

Peer raises concerns over alcohol licensing reform

28-Apr-2011 By Michelle Perrett

The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill had its second reading in the House of Lords and was passed to committee stage, yesterday.

Licensees' pub group in terminal hour fight

17-Feb-2011 By Ewan Turney

The newly-formed Brighton & Hove Licensees Association is to take on plans for an 11.30pm terminal hour for pubs in residential areas.

Councils push for higher licence fees

27-Jan-2011 By John Harrington

Local councils are pushing for reform of alcohol licence fees in a way that could ratchet up costs for pubs. Town hall lobbyists say fees should...

DCMS and DEFRA opposed free tapwater law

09-Dec-2010 By John Harrington

Two Government departments opposed the requirement for pubs to provide free tap water to customers, as proposed by the last Government.

Health bodies slam late-night levy plan

23-Sep-2010 By John Harrington

A powerful alliance of health campaigners has cast "serious doubts" on the merits of the proposed late-night levy for pub operators. The levy could...

Licensing overhaul: agreement to differ

14-Sep-2010 By Peter Coulson

Peter Coulson has been reading over some of the responses to the Government's proposed licensing overhaul.

BBPA: Act overhaul would threaten thousands of well-run pubs

06-Sep-2010 By James Wilmore

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has urged the government to "think again" over its licensing shake-up as it will seriously threaten...

Councils hold all the aces

31-Aug-2010 By Peter Coulson

It would appear that the Home Office is not engaged in a debate about the merits of proposed changes to the Licensing Act.

Government set to reject drink drive limit cut

24-Aug-2010 By Lesley Foottit

The Department of Transport is planning to reject proposals to bring in the "one-pint drink-drive limit", according to reports.

Government proposes 'drinking licence' for pub customers

01-Apr-2010

As part of a move to cut binge-drinking the government is proposing that pub customers carry a card licensing them to drink outside their own homes....

Brighton pub policing scheme dismissed

09-Mar-2010 By Lesley Foottit

Council proposals to force late-licence pubs and clubs in Brighton to pay for extra policing have been dismissed by the Government. Brighton and...

Unions and politicians step up fight to save Scottish Diageo jobs

26-Aug-2009 By Hamish Champ

Scottish trade unions, politicians and local authorities have met with finance minister John Swinney to draw up plans to fight Diageo's proposed...

Charles Wells looks to return pubco to brewery site

11-Feb-2009 By Hamish Champ

Charles Wells, the Bedford brewer and pub operator, could move its pub operation from its existing premises on the purpose built Morewood Centre back...

Jobs at risk at Wells & Young's

11-Feb-2009 By Hamish Champ

Nearly 40 jobs are at risk at Wells & Young's (W&Y) brewery after the Bedford-based group announced proposals to outsource its dray fleet and...

More than 170 InBev sales staff face axe

09-Jan-2009 By James Wilmore

More than 170 InBev UK on-trade sales staff face being made redundant as part of a review of the business, The Publican understands. According to a...

InBev to close Mortlake brewery

06-Jan-2009 By Ewan Turney

InBev UK is set to close its Stag brewery in Mortlake, London by 2010 — the site was acquired through its recent merger with Anhesuer-Busch.

InBev set to axe jobs and Mortlake brewery

06-Jan-2009

InBev has this morning announced a review of the business that looks likely to result in a number of UK job losses and the closure of...

Jobs to go as Carlsberg plans brewery closure

05-Nov-2008 By Matt Eley Matt

Around 170 jobs are under threat after Carlsberg announced plans to close its Leeds brewery in 2011. The company, which employs 2,000 people in the...

SBPA slams Edinburgh BID scheme

28-May-2008 By Ewan Turney

Edinburgh BID scheme has little tangible benefit for licensed trade, says trade body

Coulson: Easing the task for minor variations

14-Feb-2008 By Peter Coulson

MA legal editor Peter Coulson is concerned over the attitude of police to licence variations