Nationwide Licensing Solicitors
Our Services
Alcohol & Entertainment
Alcohol & Entertainment
Alcohol & Entertainment
A range of services relating to the alcohol and entertainment industry including TENs, Pavement Licenses, Table & Chairs Licenses, Street Trading Licenses, Sexual Entertainment Licenses, Premises Licenses, Personal Licenses, Variations and Transfers
Planning
Alcohol & Entertainment
Alcohol & Entertainment
Help with planning applications relating to change of use, advertising, awnings, planning conditions and other related applications.
Regulatory & Training
Alcohol & Entertainment
Regulatory & Training
Help with a variety of issues including PACE interviews, test purchases, Local Authority visits, breach of licence conditions, public nuisance, closure notices and noise abatement
Alcohol and Entertainment
We understand how important it is for our clients to open on time and to keep trading without any interruptions. We tailor our services to meet the needs of our individual clients and can help you with all your licensing needs whatever your business requirements including supermarkets, off licenses, bars, clubs, restaurants, street traders and sexual entertainment premises.
New Premises Licence Application (section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003) or Variation of Premises Licence Application (section 34 of the Licensing Act 2003)
The cost of obtaining a new licence will depend upon several factors which affect the complexity of the application such as the location, type and size of the premises. Our fee includes the preparation and submission of all the relevant documentation together with the production of the required site notices, drafting the newspaper advertisement and checking of the licence once granted. The costs will be discussed with your prior to submission as will guidance on our pricing structure and additional costs and disbursements such as those listed below.
- The Local Authority charges a fee for the application based upon the rateable value of the premises and the current fee scale can be viewed here: https://www.westminster.gov.uk/sites/default/files/licensing_fees_2018_19.pdf
- A notice is required to be advertised in the local press and they will also charge a fee which is dependant on the newspaper so we use a specialist agent who can ensure the most cost effective option is used.
- You will need to provide us with scale plans of the premises showing the licensed area. If you need help with the preparation of these plans we can refer you to companies that can provide these for you.
If no representations are received then your licence should be granted within 28 days of submission. However if representations are received then this will affect the cost and timing of the licence and these additional costs will be charged at our hourly rate unless otherwise agreed. If representations are received then we will try to deal with them prior to a hearing, however should this not be possible then a hearing will be scheduled within 20 days of the end of the representation period. If the licence is not granted then you are entitled to appeal the decision which would then incur further costs especially if a barrister is instructed.
Other Services
We also provide a variety of other services to meet your requirements including but not limited to:-
- Minor Variations
- Transfer of Premises licence
- Variation of Designated Premises Supervisor
- Temporary Event Notices
- Table and Chairs Licences
- Personal Licences including DBS check
Please get in touch to discuss your individual requirements on 0161 237 9961.
Planning
Often planning can get overlooked when running a licensed premises but it is important that you ensure you have all the necessary permissions if you want to keep your business working without interruption. Planning can affect your business in a variety of ways from ensuring the building is in the correct use class and complying with any planning conditions in the original permission to obtaining consent for advertisement hoardings, road closures and smoking shelters.
We can check the existing planning permission to find out whether an application for a change of use is required or help your to apply for the removal of restrictions which could affect the opening hours of your business.
If you wish to erect any permanent structures at your premises or carry out major alterations to the structure and layout then you will require planning permission. This may include the addition of a permanent smoking shelter, a parasol that is fixed permanently to the floor or advertising such as hoardings, boards and signage.
In some areas planning maybe required for pavement licences or beer gardens. The planning application may also require statements regarding environmental health and safety, noise impact and the visual appearance.
If you are planning alterations or additions to your premises please contact us 0161 237 9961 to discuss whether a planning application is required.
Regulatory & Training
Unfortunately there may be time when you need us because legal action is being taken, this could be due to noise or pollution, public safety or underage sales. Because alcohol consumption can lead to a relaxation of personal inhibitions the industry is heavily regulated to protect businesses, customers and communities.
Licence Review
If it is believed that you have failed to uphold any of the core licensing objectives:- the prevention of crime and disorder; public safety; the prevention of public nuisance; or the protection of children from harm then you maybe required to undergo a review of your premises licence.
There are two types of review, regular and summary (expedited).
A regular review could be triggered by a complaint from your neighbours or the authorities. After a consultation period there will be a hearing to consider whether it is necessary to revoke part or all of your licence.
A summary review is more serious and is triggered by the police after incidences of serious crime or disorder either on or associated with your premises. Interim measures such as the suspension of your licence can be put in place pending a full review hearing.
We can represent you at a review hearing and help guide you through the process including advice on procedures that can be put in place to mitigate the issues that are the basis of the complaint or appeals.
Other regulatory matters we can assist with are:-
- Closure Notices and Orders
- Underage Sales
- Noise Complaints
- Trading Standards
- PACE interviews
- Test Purchases
Training
In order to ensure you continue to meet with all the conditions of your licence we provide bespoke training packs which cover your duties under the Licensing Act 2003 including training on Challenge 25 and underage Sales as well as any specific licence conditions
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