Licensing solicitors

Getting and keeping the right licence is vital to a business. Whether you’re starting a new adventure or need help with an existing business, we can advise and support you through the entire process.

Our experienced licensing solicitors specialise in assisting a range of businesses, as well as the leisure, hospitality and retail sector with a variety of licensing issues. We can advise and assist with applications, variations, compliance with any licensing conditions as well as defending enforcement actions. 

What you need to know about the Licensing Act 2003

You need to apply for a licence under the Licensing Act 2003 if you are planning to; 

• sell alcohol
• provide regulated entertainment (live or recorded music, films, plays etc) 
• supply late night refreshments 

The sale or supply of alcohol includes both;

• on-sales (pubs, bars, restaurants), and 
• off-sales (off-licences, supermarkets, convenience stores) 

As well as registered clubs (where alcohol is supplied). In addition to requiring a premises licence for the sale of alcohol, individuals may also be required to obtain a personal licence.

The provision of regulated entertainment is defined as “specific activities”. These activities will take place in the presence of an audience and are provided with a view to profit. Licensable activities are likely to include; plays, films, indoor sporting events, boxing and wrestling, live and recorded music, entertainment similar to music and dance, late night refreshments, as well as the sale and supplies of alcohol. 

To provide late-night refreshments with the sale of hot food and/or hot (non-alcoholic) drinks. This is for consumption on or off the premises and includes mobile units and stalls offering to the public between 11pm and 5am. This includes takeaways, restaurants and petrol stations that sell hot food.

Permission to carry out some or all of these licensable activities is contained in:

• a single premises licence
• club premises certificate, or;
• temporary event notice

This is issued by the licensing authority and authorises the premises or location where the activity is to take place. These licences may be permanent, for a limited period, or for one-off events.

At the heart of the Licensing Act 2003, there is a clear set of licensing objectives. These set out the issues to be considered, namely:

• prevention of crime and disorder
• public safety
• prevention of public nuisance
• protection of children from harm

Our licensing team can help you with all issues pertaining to the above, including:

• Applying for new licences, including Temporary Event Notices
• Applying for variations, amendments, and transfers to existing licences 
• Defending applications before the licensing committee or appeal hearings
• Objecting to someone else’s licence application 
• Contesting enforcement actions

We provide our pricing in relation to applying for a new premises licence or to vary a premises licence. Please refer to ‘our fees’ for further information. 

Other areas of licensing

Our team have expertise and experience in assisting with a range of licensing related issues, which include:

• Environmental Permitting 
• Firearms Licensing 
• Food businesses 
• Houses in Multiple Occupation 
• Lotteries and Gambling
• Pavement Licence 
• Street Café (table and chairs licence)
• Taxis (hackney carriages) and private hire