Firms To Watch: Licensing

Harrison Drury & Co, has made a push into the licensing sector after practice head Malcolm Ireland joined from Napthens LLP in 2021; he was followed by Samantha Faud the following year.

Licensing in North West

Kuit Steinart Levy LLP

Kuit Steinart Levy LLP’s licensing department assists clients, particularly in the hospitality and leisure sectors, on a range of matters, including acquiring new provisional licenses, planning issues and diversification work. The team also specialises in obtaining new premise licenses, particularly in areas of cumulative impact. Felicity Tulloch heads the team, handling a range of complex licensing issues and regularly appears before licensing subcommittees and magistrates courts across the country. Rebecca Ingram advises on all aspects of alcohol and entertainment licensing for pubs, bars, restaurants, large event spaces, festivals and developments.

Practice head(s):

Felicity Tulloch

Other key lawyers:

Rebecca Ingram

Testimonials

‘Real quality and experience throughout the licensing team. Exceptional industry knowledge and relationships with local authorities, particularly in the North West.’

‘Felicity Tulloch is a leading light of licensing both in the North West and further afield, including London. She is very experienced and has excellent judgement.’

‘Rebecca Ingram is a rising young star of licensing.’

Key clients

Revolution Bars Group

The New World Trading Company (UK) Limited

Britannia Hotels

BrewDog Retail Limited

Mission Mars Group

Bruntwood Estates

GG Hospitality (The Stock Exchange Hotel & Hotel Football, Manchester)

Allied London

Somerset House Trust, London

The Alchemist Bar & Restaurant Limited

RedCat Pub Company

Fairgame London

Toca Football

Manchester Airport Group plc

Gino D’Acampo Hotels & Leisure

Work highlights

  • Advised on all licensing matters across the country for Mission Mars, operators behind Albert’s Schloss, Albert’s Schenke, Zumhof Biergarten and Rudy’s Pizza.
  • Acted for the likes of Stockport County, Salford City FC and Macclesfield Town FC, with work for Stockport County including a license variation to allow for large-scale music concerts and similar events to take place in the stadium during off season.
  • Advised on all licensing matters for Brewdog across England and Wales for all existing and new sites, including its new site in Waterloo, London, which will be its biggest UK premise to date.

Brabners LLP

Brabners LLP specialises in firearms licensing. The team provides advice to clients across contentious and non-contentious matters, including on compliance issues, Section 5 offences, applications in respect of prohibited persons, kinetic testing failures and antique firearms. Lachlan Nisbet, legal advisor for the British Association of Shooting and Conservation, heads the team. Associate Charlotte McRae bolsters the practice, recognised for her handling of complex regulatory issues.

Practice head(s):

Lachlan Nisbet

Other key lawyers:

Charlotte McRae

Testimonials

‘Charlotte McRae is impressive with her ability to put clients at ease and liaise with her expert counsel of choice. She selects a winning team to get the best outcome for high-net-worth individuals and companies.’

Key clients

British Association of Shooting and Conservation (BASC)

Work highlights

  • Advised the Association of Shooting and Conservation (BASC) on a broad range of issues arising from public policy, legislation and the relevant guidance.

DAC Beachcroft LLP

DAC Beachcroft LLP handles all licensable activities pursuant to the Licensing Act, the Gambling Act, marriage licences and other specialist licensing advice. The practice acts for clients across a variety of industries, including real estate, retail, hospitality, sport, health and the public sector. Jan Levinson is national head for this practice area. Associate Andrew Martin has particular experience in acting for clients in contested applications and appeals.

Practice head(s):

Jan Levinson

Other key lawyers:

Andrew Martin

Testimonials

‘DAC has a formidable reputation all round as a firm. The licensing practice is now well established over a number of years. I would not hesitate to recommend them.’

‘Jan Levinson has a formidable wealth of knowledge and experience. In my view, he is one of the go-to licensing practitioners in the North of England.’

Key clients

Manchester United Football Club

City and Country Hotels Limited

Brio Retirement Limited

MITIE Facilities Management Limited

LaSalle Investments (for BAE Systems Pensions Fund Trustees Limited)

Robert Hitchins Limited

Hydes’ Brewery

Bellway Plc

Lendlease

Work highlights

  • Advised Manchester United in respect of a broad range of licensing matters (including applications to amend its Premises Licence in order to expand its licensable activities).
  • Obtained a premises licence for Brio Retirement Homes after a contested hearing.
  • Advised Lendlease in respect of licensable activities undertaken by its tenants.

Napthens LLP

Napthens LLP’s dedicated licensing team handles licensing requirements for clients across the leisure industries, including breweries, pub chains, restaurants and hotel groups.

Testimonials

‘The team at Napthens is small and therefore easily accessible and always quick to act. They take time to get to know our business and have vast experience across the sector.’ 

Key clients

Frederic Robinson Ltd

Blind Tiger Inns

Work highlights