Blog Posts: July 2010

Earlier this month the Morning Advertiser ran a story about the Derby police chief wanting a temporary ban on new licences in the city. It immediately struck me that the Chief Superintendant either did not know his licensing law or he was making a point to provoke a change to the existing law. So what is the law? Quite simply the licensing authorities have no power whatsoever to impose a blanket ban on the grant of new Premises Licecenses to sell alcohol. The Licensing Act clearly states that e.... (read more...)

The Emergency Budget showed that the government are seriously committed to reducing the budget deficit, primarily through public sector cuts and an increase in VAT. Predictably the politicians have since been arguing about whether this is too much too soon (with the risk of a double-dip recession) or exactly what was needed due to the frightening increase in the deficit. Whilst all this argument makes good headlines for the politicians, the truth is that no one can say for sure how the economy w.... (read more...)

It seems strange that Military ID may not be accepted as poof of age when buying alcohol. You may think that Military ID is the most secure form of ID. But for a long time the acceptable forms of ID have been a Passport, European Driving Licence (with photo), and a PASS accredited card. All the training and literature and signage has been geared to these forms of ID. And many Premises Licences will have conditions endorsed on them insisting on specific accepatble forms of ID, and Military ID i.... (read more...)

The new government is moving ahead rapidly with consultations in a number of areas effecting the licensed trade. It is rumoured that the fast track review of the licensing laws will result in measures being introduced in parliament in the autumn. And let us not forget the promise to get rid of red tape where possible. The Your Freedom initiative is gathering suggestions via its website www.yourfreedom.hmg.gov.uk  So now is the time to put forward suggestions. My pet hate is the Designated .... (read more...)

You may remember the flurry of activity by the last government during the last few months of 2009 to introduce electronic licensing via the web. It was all done in a rush to avoid breach of EC legislation. I said at the time that it was a pig's ear, was full of flaws and uncertainties, and that Licensing Authorities would not be geared up either then or in the near future to deliver the promised package. Six months on and nothing has changed. The system should allow licensing applications such .... (read more...)

The temporary increase in small business rate relief has been confirmed by the new government. The increase will apply for 12 months from 1 October 2010 and means that eligible businesses occupying premises with a rateable value of £6,000 or less will pay no business rates for that period. For properties with a rateable value of between £12,000 and £6,000 there will be relief on a sliding scale from 100% to zero. For more information on how this will affect your business rates .... (read more...)

I have blogged before about the coalition government's promise to remove excessive red tape and to allow businesses to nominate their most hated business laws.Well, at last our chance is here. The government has now launched its Your Freedom website where we can tell it what regulations we want to see removed.They promise to listen. Now let's see how good they are at acting.Gary CousinsBusiness Solicitor .... (read more...)