The Licensing Act 2003 transferred responsibility for the control and regulation of the sale or supply of alcohol to Local Authorities and at the same time a number of entertainments and activities which had previously been unlicensed became licensable activities. This now means that local authorities are responsible for the implementation and enforcement of almost all licensing matters. It is widely believed that the main thrust of the Licensing Act 2003 was to enable alcohol to be available for twenty four hours each day. Whereas this was a possibility under the Act in truth although most licensed outlets now have additional hours during which they can sell alcohol with this increase has come much greater regulation by the police and the local authority in partnership. As a result premises licences can be the subject of review to a much greater extent than was previously the case. Thus holders of premises licences need the best possible advice as to how the premises should be conducted to avoid any potential difficulties.
We have considerable experience of all forms of licensing relating to the sale of alcohol, food, entertainments, hackney carriages, private hire vehicles and security staff including representing clients on new applications, appeals against refusal of licences, reviews of licences and appeals to the magistrates’ courts against decisions of the local authority.
We provide clear and practical advice, guidance and representation from an initial concept through to implementation and can then continue to advise regarding maximising future opportunities through ever changing legal processes.