Licensing law

Pub support: The second reading of the private member's bill will take place on 19 Jan (Credit: Getty/G Trade)

BBPA supports licensing hours extension bill

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) was proud to support an MP’s drop-in event ahead of the second reading of her bill that will help pubs extend opening hours during national events.

Hitting the target: darts is enjoying a boost in popularity and Alex Tomlinson (right) has advice for pubs (credit: Getty/Jovan Doncic)

Darts – what are the rules for pubs?

By Alex Tomlinson, solicitor at Poppleston Allen

This week, we saw 16-year-old Luke Littler compete in the PDC World Darts Championship final before losing 7-4 to Luke Humphries.

(image: Getty/SolStock)

Reminder of licensing law round children in pubs

By Suraj Desor, associate solicitor, Poppleston Allen

During a recent episode of the Lock In podcast, Poppleston Allen's Suraj Desor outlined the legalities around children in pubs. Here he goes into more detail about the topic.

(image: Getty/zamrznutitonovi)

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Top tips: A timely reminder on prevention of underage sales of alcohol

By Graeme Cushion, partner, Poppleston Allen

With Christmas now approaching I thought it would be a good time to remind operators of their obligations in terms of the prevention of sales of alcohol to persons under the age of 18.

Crucial to the area: many businesses suffered huge losses after Brixton Academy closed in December 2022 (credit: Getty/400tmax)

Brixton Academy to reopen under stringent conditions

By Gary Lloyd

A collaborative effort to reopen Brixton Academy has been hailed as key in the decision to allow the famous music venue to open its doors again, according to the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA).

Stark reminder: private security sector faces huge challenges amid ongoing reforms (Credit:Getty/somboon kaeoboonsong)

Private security sector faces 'huge challenges'

By Rebecca Weller

The private security sector faces some “huge challenges” over the coming years with a “huge amount” of work to be done by regulators and the Government, according to the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA).

Information outlined: Poppleston Allen lays out the legal stance when it comes to displaying drinks prices (image: Getty/Push)

Legalities around displaying drinks prices

By Suraj Desor, associate solicitor, Poppleston Allen

The law on displaying prices for alcoholic drinks was changed some years ago with the introduction of The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

End of legal battle: Star Pubs & Bars and the pubs code adjudicator have settled their High Court case

Star to pay £1.25m settlement over pubs code breaches

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.

Night trouble: Communication is key in resolving noise complaints (Getty/fotoVoyager)

Why are noise complaints shutting down music venues?

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

“No one should have to go what we went through,” says Kwame Otiende. The licensee had to cash out more than £15,000 on legal fees, acoustic tests, sound proofing and construction after his pub – the Jago, Hackney – was slapped with a noise abatement notice...

End-of-year reflection: Fiona Dickie has clarified what her role is as pubs code adjudicator

opinion

Acting on pubs code breaches

By Fiona Dickie, pubs code adjudicator

One of the things learned from talking to stakeholders in developing the pubs code adjudicator’s (PCA) three-year strategy is that people still have different expectations of the PCA.

Get onside with the rules: Poppleston Allen issues warning over excessive fan behaviour (credit: Getty/skynesher)

Footy fans warned over pint throwing ‘assault’

By Poppleston Allen, licensing solicitors

Licensing solicitors Poppleston Allen have warned pubs that football fans who throw pints when the on-screen action gets exciting could be committing assault.

Working together: Government should listen to sector's concerns regarding licensing (Getty/ SolStock)

Licensing Act follow-up ‘extremely disappointing’

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The Government has published the long-awaited follow-up to the House of Lords Liaison Committee publication ‘The Licensing Act 2003: post-legislative scrutiny’, but it has been dubbed “extremely disappointing”.

Well deserved: George Orwell's perfect pub the Compton Arms retains licence (Credit: Getty/Henrik Sorensen)

Compton Arms retains licence

By Rebecca Weller

A London pub favoured by Animal Farm author George Orwell has reportedly retained its licence following complaints from nearby residents claiming the venue posed a health hazard and was a public nuisance.

Influx of complaints: pubs and late-night venues receiving more noise complaints post pandemic (Credit: Getty/Flashpop)

Night-time economy 'under attack'

By Rebecca Weller

The UK’s Night-Time Economy (NTE) has been “under attack” as escalation of noise complaints becomes a “real issue”, according to the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA).

Supporting the sector: Nottingham bids goodbye to late-night levy (SAKhanPhotography)

Nottingham ditches late-night levy

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Nottingham’s late-night levy has been removed to “reduce the burden” on operators and remove costs that could be a barrier to incoming and expanding businesses.

Licensing tips: the free event is taking place on 28 September in London's Covent Garden (image: Getty/mbbirdy)

Emma McClarkin to talk at free licensing event

By The Morning Advertiser

British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) boss Emma McClarkin OBE will be speaking at a free licensing event, held by licensing experts Poppleston Allen.

Down and out in pubs in London: Labour MP defends George Orwell's pub (Getty. whitemay)

Labour MP defends Orwell’s ‘perfect pub’

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

A member for Islington South & Finsbury council has defended George Orwell’s ‘perfect pub’ the Compton Arms, north London, which faced threat of closure after residents complained.

Widening needed: the trade bodies have called for the relaxation of permitted development rights to be in place for the whole of the hospitality sector (image: Getty/Alistair Berg)

‘Pubs at risk of being forgotten about’

By Nikkie Thatcher

A trio of Scottish trade bodies have called on the Government to include pubs from current planning proposals with one labelling the exclusion as "nothing short of discriminatory".

Maximising return: Fast Track Pavement Licences to be made permanent (Credit: Getty/urbazon)

'Vital' pavement licences to be permanent

By Rebecca Weller

“Vital” fast track pavement licences have been confirmed to be become a permanent fixture, the Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities has revealed.

Recent news: pubs code adjudicator Fiona Dickie recently appeared in front of a select committee, among others, to discuss how the pubs code is working

opinion

Showing progress in the tied pub relationship

By Fiona Dickie, pubs code adjudicator

I was grateful for the opportunity to appear before a parliamentary select committee this week, to give evidence about the progress of the pubs code in bringing fairness to the tied relationship in the regulated pub trade.

Rule change extension: off-sales will be permitted for a further year (credit: Getty/Paper Boat Creative)

NTIA welcomes extension to off-sales

By Gary Lloyd

The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has welcomed the Government’s move to allow hospitality sites to continue selling alcoholic drinks to be consumed outside their premises.

Licensing solicitor Poppleston Allen on off-trade sales after Covid

How do off-trade sales work post-Covid?

By Poppleston Allen, licensing solicitors

Operators may recall that in July 2020, the Government passed legislation through the Business & Planning Act 2020 that provided a relaxation for those premises that did not have the benefit of off-sales provision on their premises licence.

Raise a glass: Licensing hours extended for Jubilee weekend in June (Getty/ CreativeDream)

Pubs can open for extra 2 hours on Jubilee weekend

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The licensing hours for pubs, bars and clubs will be extended for an extra two hours for three nights over the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend in June, to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years on the throne.

Reinvigorating the sector: Fiona Dickie says an agreed investment can improve pubs while deferring the market-rent-only (MRO) option for tenants

How investing in pubs can be a major factor in sector recovery

By Fiona Dickie, pubs code adjudicator

Investment in tied pubs could be a significant element to recovery in the sector. The pubs code supports this while balancing protection of tenants, ensuring they are informed and advised on their rights and the effect of proposed investments. I’d like...

Getting delivery right: ensuring you have a good age verification policy is one aspect to consider

Licensing hub – legal with Poppleston Allen

Stay on the right side of the law with deliveries and takeaways

By Suraj Desor, solicitor Poppleston Allen

With the rise in home delivery and takeaway in recent years, accelerated by the pandemic, many operators such as our online delivery and restaurant clients have seen this as a great way to expand business.

Open all hours: extension to your operating hours could add to your bottom line

Licensing hub – legal with Poppleston Allen

Opportunity to extend operating hours and reap the rewards

By Imogen Moss, solicitor Poppleston Allen

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the face of many towns and cities and unfortunately, we have seen the closure of many nightclubs up and down the country.

Consultation process: pubs code adjudicator Fiona Dickie

Tell me your views on the free-of-tie process

By Fiona Dickie, pubs code adjudicator

In a previous column in The Morning Advertiser, I wrote about how the market-rent-only (MRO) option process had become better for tenants, but was still far from perfect.

Information given: Poppleston Allen solicitor David Inzani outlines how insolvency impacts a premises licence

Licensing hub – legal with Poppleston Allen

Dealing with the impact insolvency has on a premises licences

By David Inzani, solicitor at Poppleston Allen

The plight of the hospitality industry in the pandemic has been well documented and, sadly, stories of insolvency and premises closures are currently all too common. It has, therefore, never been more important for licensees to safeguard their premises...

Take the fear factor out of operating hours: advice from licensing solicitor Poppleston Allen (credit: Getty/shironosov)

Licensing hub – legal with poppleston Allen

Don’t let Halloween become a licensing nightmare

By David Inzani, solicitor at Poppleston Allen

The autumn events schedule is almost here with Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night fast approaching, hopefully very different propositions to their 2020 Covid-related counterparts.

Latest licensing moves: pavement licences and temporary event notices are among changes (Credit: Getty Images /  Thomas Barwick)

Licensing hub – Legal with Poppleston Allen

Your guide to the latest licensing law changes

By Poppleston Allen

As we move out of summer and into autumn, I thought it might be helpful to do a little round up of some of the changes in licensing legislation that have occurred, or will occur, in the next month or so.

Online event: the free webinar will take place on Tuesday 14 September (image: Getty/Richard Drury)

Free advice on tackling noise complaints

By The Morning Advertiser

With noise nuisance rapidly becoming a major problem for a lot of operators on the return to trade, there’s still time to register to take part in a free online event to help you get to grips with the problem.

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