Poppleston Allen celebrate 30 years at the top by hosting UK’s largest licensing event

In May 1994, Jeremy Allen and Susanna Poppleston launched Poppleston Allen: a specialist licensing law firm for the hospitality sector. At the time, the general feeling from many outsiders about the new venture was that it would not last.   

From humble beginnings, Poppleston Allen is now celebrating its 30th year as the largest and most respected licensing law firm in the UK, with offices in Nottingham’s Lace Market and Kings Cross, London. And from having just a handful of clients, the firm now gives specialist licensing, gambling and regulatory advice to 100s of businesses across the UK.   

To celebrate this success, the firm hosted the largest UK seminar dedicated to licensing in hospitality and gaming sectors.

The seminar, which took place at Everyman Cinema at King’s Cross, featured a host of leading speakers from the sector, including:

• Joe Harvey, Associate Solicitor, Poppleston Allen: Interviews under caution
• John Williams, Barrister, Crown Office Chambers: Corporate manslaughter
• Caroline Benjamin, CEO of Food Allergy: Food safety and allergens
• Danielle Grant, Director at CT Protect and Andy Grimsey, Associate Solicitor at Poppleston Allen: Martyn’s Law and it’s potential impact on the sector
• Tom Kidd, Hospitality Business Advisor and ex Managing Director (and Founder) of Adventure Bar Group and Nikkie Thatcher, News Editor at The Morning Advertiser: Hospitality Q&A
• Blake Gladman, Strategy and Insight Director at research consultancy KAM: Drinking Differently
• Ashley Blake, founder of a £200m leisure real estate investor, Otium: What really is happening in the commercial property world
• David Inzani, Partner, Poppleston Allen: Licensing update

This was followed by a private drinks’ reception at Nola’s bar, a hidden speakeasy bar with secret entrance underneath Goods Way at King’s Cross.

Managing Partner, Lisa Sharkey comments, “It’s been an incredible journey and one which I have been lucky enough to have been on since day one.  It might sound cliched, but without the commitment of our bright and enthusiastic team and our many incredible clients – both present and past – we simply would not be the force we are today. I am beyond grateful to our clients for entrusting us with their business and letting us share their journey.  

Sharkey continues, “One of my fondest memories was winning The Lawyer’s ‘Law Firm of the Year’ Award and sharing that stage with Jeremy and Susanna celebrating their foresight and bravery in going it alone and setting up Poppleston Allen.

Next year I will be standing down as Managing Partner and Graeme Cushion will be taking up the helm.  I am excited to see what the future holds under Graeme’s leadership.”