Under the Licensing Act of 2003, all establishments selling alcohol, providing regulated entertainment or serving hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am require a Premises Licence. The Premises Licence creates one, single licence for multiple licensing activities for businesses.
In granting the licence, the business and premises are required to adhere to and promote certain measures pertaining to public order, public safety and prevention of crime such as anti-social behaviour, noise pollution, environmental concerns etc. Since March 2010, there has also been a revised guidance to the Act which prohibits irresponsible promotions, significantly for the sale and promotion of alcohol.
If you want to add provision of alcohol sales to your existing business or are expanding to a new location and require a new Premises License, Adams Solicitors can facilitate and advise you on obtaining your new license.
Licence reviews
Previously, licenses were reviewed on a regular basis, but licensing authorities can now review premises’ licences at any time if there have been objections from private individuals, businesses, authorities or the Police. Adams Solicitors has seen an increase in the number of licenses being reviewed since this act was brought in and simply a complaint by an ‘interested party’ can begin the review process. If your licence is reviewed; you could be fined, receive a mandatory order, be restricted on trading or even have your license revoked.
If your business has breached a condition of its licence or you are aware that a complaint has been made, contact Adams Solicitors immediately so we can advise and guide you on the best course of action, even if you haven’t received details of a review hearing. We can help mediate and plan a course of action to anticipate any review hearings on behalf of your business. Adams Solicitors will take care of the entire process and all of the paperwork so you can continue running your business.
Our service
Adams Solicitors has extensive experience in providing advice and help for our clients within the hospitality and entertainment industry in not just obtaining premises licenses for businesses but our specialist legal team can also advise and provide legal representation if your business is under review.
We will work with you from the outset; explain the process and how a condition has been breached. Adams Solicitors can also help mitigate or represent your business at any hearings concerning licence review or if there have been any objections in the granting of a license.
The services we offer to our clients include:
Applications for new Premises Licence
Applications for Personal licences
Regulated entertainment advice
Applications for Temporary Event Notice (TEN)
Applications for transfer of Premises Licence
Operating schedules
Varying a licence/DPS
Reviewing a Premises Licence
Representation at hearings
If you would like help obtaining a Premises Licence in Greater London, or if you are currently involved in a licensing dispute, contact Mrs M Chima on 020 7790 2000 or complete our enquiry form.
If you would like general information on licensing and the key terms, we would advise you to visit the website of the Department of Media, Culture and Sport which provides excellent and comprehensive information (
www.culture.gov.uk)
