Commercial advice > Alcohol & Entertainment Licensing
SPECIALIST ADVICE FOR LEISURE & RETAIL OPERATORS
We offer practical, expert commercial advice on all aspects of alcohol and entertainment licensing law and practice. We deliver a high-quality service tailored to your business needs.
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The hospitality sector is going through a tremendously challenging time. Now, more than ever, it is essential that licensed premises have the right licensing permissions. We can advise you to make sure that you are compliant with national, local authority and regulatory requirements.
We can provide you with both clear and pragmatic solutions for your commercial requirements. Our aim is to ensure that you can operate your business effectively and to its maximum potential.
We are able to advise on a whole range of leisure businesses and operators in the licensed sector and hospitality industry. This ranges from popular multi-site household name companies to small one-off venues. So whether you have previous experience with, or are new to the world of premises licenses, we can guide you forward.
We strongly believe that building solid client relationships is the key to success. We will always take the time to get to know you and your business needs better. Our tailored approach ensures that we understand your business model and recognise what you want to achieve with our licensing services.
At Taylor Rose MW, we can guide you on your licensing objectives. Under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003 a premises licence is required for the sale by retail of alcohol, the provision of regulated entertainment and the supply of hot food and drink after 11pm.
Our areas of expertise include:
- Obtaining new premises licences to authorise the sale of alcohol, provision of regulated entertainment and supply of hot food and drink after 11pm.
- Variation of premises licences to alter layout and/or licensable activities and operating hours.
- Obtaining highways/tables & chairs licences for outside seating.
- Obtaining the correct licenses for wedding venues.
- Temporary events notices for one off events.
- Obtaining personal licences and changes to Designated Premises Supervisor.
- Advising on club premises certificates for qualifying clubs.
- Licensing due diligence in commercial transactions.
- Advice on lease terms and requirements to ensure the right licence conditions.
- Advice to ensure that all relevant provisions are in place to allow a new operator to run new or existing premises lawfully.
- Transferring premises licences on change of ownership, advice on maintaining business continuity in the event of bankruptcy, insolvency or death.
- Renewal of fees for premises licences and highways/tables & chairs licences.
- Preparation and review of bespoke staff training documentation and delivery of bespoke workshops.
Making sure you have the right licenses in place is essential to running a successful leisure business. We have a proven ability to deliver sensible, commercially aware licensing advice. Our professional specialist advice ensures that you can run your business how you want to within the law.
Consultant Solicitor "Caroline Matthews attracts high praise from clients for her ability to translate ‘complex legal regimes’ into plain English” - Chambers Legal Directory 2015
To find out more about our Alcohol and Entertainment licensing legal services, please contact us by clicking the box below. Our trusted specialist will be happy to discuss your requirements to achieve your commercial goals.
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YOUR ALCOHOL & ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING | COMMERCIAL ADVICE | TAYLOR ROSE MW EXPERTS
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OUR PRICES ALCOHOL & ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING
Licensing & Entertainment Fees
The majority of licensing applications will be charged on a set fee basis. New premises licence applications and full variation applications will be charged according to the information set out below.
Fees will depend on a range of matters including the complexity of the proposed operating schedule, or proposed changes to an existing premises licence. Other factors include the size and location of the premises and local licensing conditions.
| Matter Type | Our Pricing | VAT (20%) |
|---|---|---|
|
Straightforward application for a new premises licence, or full variation of existing premises licence. Standard hours, a small likelihood of police or other interested parties’ representations are expected. Considerations that may increase the fee include the type and size of premises, proposed number and complexity of licensable activities. The premises may be situated in a cumulative impact area or residential area |
£850 - £1400 + disbursements |
£170 - £280 |
|
Medium complexity application: there is a likelihood that negotiation with responsible authorities and/or other interested parties during the consultation period will be required. Standard hours and non-contentious conditions are being applied for. The premises may be situated within a cumulative impact area or residential area. |
£1250 - £1800 + disbursements |
£250 - £360 |
|
High complexity application: non-standard hours and/or conditions are proposed. Multiple licensable activities, large premises and/or large scale events proposed. There is a strong likelihood of police/other interested parties’ representations. Detailed negotiation with responsible authorities and/or other interested parties during the consultation period is expected. The premises are situated in a cumulative impact area or residential area. |
£1800 - £6000 + disbursements |
£360 - £1,200 |
Included in the above pricing: 
- Taking your instructions and advising on how the licensing objectives can be promoted within the application.
- Advising on the type of plans required for submission with the application.
- Arranging a designated premises supervisor consent form for signature by a personal licence holder proposed by you.
- Completing the application form, including the operating schedule in accordance with your instructions and submitting all the required paperwork to the local licensing authority. Please note that suitable plans must be provided.
- Providing guidance on the fee levels payable to the licensing authority.
- Up to a total of one hour’s liaison and negotiation with responsible authorities and/or other interested parties. This can be during the pre-application or the 28-day statutory notice period.
- Arranging and advising on the notice advertising the application. Advice includes where and how this should be done to comply with the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003
- Preparation of statutory notice and organising its publication in a local newspaper.
- Checking the licence once it is granted. Returning it to the local authority for amendment if necessary and forwarding it to you.
- Reporting to the you throughout the matter.
Not included in the above pricing:
- Disbursements (including local authority application fees).
- Advice on and drafting of licensing provisions within in a lease.
- Site visits and meetings.
- Travel costs, parking and accommodation.
- Preapplication investigation and advice of premises previous licensing history, background and likelihood of application success.
- Liaison or meeting with responsible authorities or other interested parties, including the police, before submission of the application documentation. This includes any fees charged by these authorities for attending such meetings.
- Liaison and negotiation with responsible authorities and/or other interested parties during the 28-day consultation period exceeding one hour.
- Advice on a contested application after the end of consultation period. Any preparation for a hearing, as well as attendance at a hearing. This includes obtaining Counsel’s advice, witness statements or other evidence.
Disbursements:
These disbursements may vary depending on the individual premises and where it is located.
- Local authority application fee (dependent on rateable value) - £100 - £635
- Newspaper advert fee - approximately £150 – £400 (+20% VAT of £30 - £80)
- Process server fee (if required) to post up and check notices - £100 - £1300 (+20% VAT of £20 - £260)
- Counsel’s and expert witness fees – can range between £100 - £5,000 (+20% VAT of £20 - £100) dependant on the complexity of the individual matter.
The fees can, on occasion be higher than the ranges given above. We will give you an accurate figure for each item as soon as we are able to do so.
A fee will be agreed with you at the outset of a matter based on the information set out above. Any increase due to the matter becoming more complex than expected will be discussed and agreed with you before additional work is undertaken.
Timescale:
For all applications we recommend that you contact us as early as possible. Generally we expect a timeframe of around 3 months from instructing us to the conclusion of the matter.
The statutory timescale for an application for new premises licence or full variation of existing licence is 28 days. This is from sending in the paperwork to the licensing authority to final grant of the new licence or variation. In this case we would anticipate that the matter can be concluded within 6 weeks or 2 months. This is on the basis that you can supply all the required documentation without delay and that the application is a relatively straightforward one.
There are factors that can delay the grant of the application. These include pre-application enquiries, representations and negotiation with responsible authorities/interested parties during the statutory 28-day notice period and any contested hearing.
Either an agreed fee or hourly rate of £200 (+20% VAT of £40) will be charged for other general licensing advice. This may include:
- advising on licensing clauses in leases,
- operating procedures,
- preparing risk assessments, statutory notices and documentation,
- setting up and providing staff training documentation/sessions.
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