Licensing solicitors helping people just like you
When it comes to choosing licensing solicitors to help you obtain, vary or protect a premises licence, you really couldn’t be in safer hands. That’s why our legal advice is relied upon by the likes of Mitchells & Butlers, wagamama, and Young’s through to Bandai Namco, Buzz Bingo, Vue Cinemas, and many more besides. But it’s not just about the big businesses. Our licensing solicitors also help small independents, start ups and pop-ups, too.
Explore our services
How we can help
Alcohol licensing
Alcohol licensing is a term commonly used as a bit of a ‘catch all’. It describes the different legal advice that you need for running a business which sells alcohol. Take a look to see what is involved.
Premises licences
If you are looking for help on premises licences, you’re in the right place. Click to read what a premises licence is, how you obtain one, who’s involved, how long it takes and why you might need a variation.
Gambling
We have been helping gambling operators manage all aspects of their licensed operation since the inception of the Gambling Act 2005.
Food, safety & hygiene
All licensed premises are governed by legal responsibilities relating to food safety, health & safety and fire safety. These are serious issues which can, if things go wrong, result in an ‘interview under caution’. You can read more of what is involved here.
Personal alcohol licences
If you are planning on working in a bar, restaurant, club or any other licensed premises that sells alcohol, a personal licence is absolutely vital. Click here to see how you gain one, and take a FREE mock exam.
Pavement licences
Using the front of a licensed premise to offer that ‘alfresco’ experience can be highly profitable. But there are certain items you need to consider before you can start using the space.
Wedding licences
Weddings, civil marriages and partnerships are big business. If you would like to use your venue for such occasions, here you can see how we can help you obtain licences that you will need.
Sexual entertainment venue licences
If you need more information about providing entertainment involving nudity, such as table dancing and lap dancing, you will need a Sexual Entertainment Venue Licence. You can find our more about these licences here.
Reviews of premises licences
A premises licence review can be a business-critical event. Any person can bring a review: a local resident, the police, a licensing authority and environmental health officers. Here you can read about how we can help you defend them.
Gambling premises licence, personal licence & operating licence
If a business intends to provide gambling activities or services in Great Britain, then one of the first steps is to understand what, if any, licences or permits are required.
Food, drink & late night
Food, drink and entertainment is a colossal market. Here you can see how we help every type of operator imaginable, from pubs, bars, nightclubs and restaurants to pop-ups, delivery services and takeaways.
Accommodation
We are probably the UK’s most successful firm of licensing solicitors for the accommodation sector. See how we work with hotel owners, franchisees, financiers, bankers and developers to help them achieve their plans.
Gambling
We have been helping gambling operators manage all aspects of their licensed operation since the inception of the Gambling Act 2005.
Retail
Long gone are the days when alcohol was only available from licensed premises such as pubs, bars, restaurants, off-licences or grocery stores. See how we are helping all types of retail operator understand licensing laws and provide alcohol as part of a wider service.
Trade bodies
We work with most of the trade bodies within the licensed trade and gambling sectors. From speaking at events and writing thought leadership articles through to giving legal advice on complex issues, see how we are involved the in trade.
Festivals & live music
Festivals and live music events are becoming more popular. Due to many unique factors, not least the potential for large attendances, careful planning is needed for a successful licensing application. See how we do it and who we do it for!
Licensing support on mergers & acquisitions
Hospitality is a multi-billion-pound industry which attracts investments by global finance firms and venture capitalists. We have a strong track record of giving strategic licensing advice and due diligence for mergers, acquisitions and disposals, which you can read a little more about here.
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News and publications
- Late night levy
- News
Council issues notification confirming introduction of Late Night Levy – which comes into effect 1 February 2025
The Late Night Levy will require licensed premises permitted to sell alcohol or provide late night refreshment between the hours…
- Alcohol
- News
Another Year of Outstanding Results for Licensing in The Legal Directories Keeps us at No1
The only firm of licensing solicitors recommended for giving exceptionally high levels of client service and satisfaction
Useful information
Candid. Committed. Collaborative. Creative.
Alcohol licensing advice that gets results
Founded in 1994 and driven by vibrant, collaborative and dedicated people, we have grown into the largest firm of licensing solicitors in the UK. With offices in London and Nottingham, we give licensing legal advice nationally and internationally.
We work exclusively in the alcohol, entertainment, gambling and retail sectors and help clients ranging from small, one off independents through to national multi-site operators.
But no matter what size of operator we are working with, big or small, our objective is the same: To use legal knowledge and hard work to get you the results you need to run your business how you want to. We can help you:
- Obtain, vary and protect the numerous licences needed on licensed and gambling premises
- Defend licensing, gambling, food hygiene and health and safety reviews
- Manage due-diligence on mergers and acquisitions
Many of our licensing solicitors work with professional bodies, speak at industry events, write for the national trade press and advise central Government on licensing regulation.
So, we do not see ourselves as just legal advisors to the licensed trade, but part of it.
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