The 'superb' licensing practice at Kuit Steinart Levy LLP is 'pre-eminent' nationally and in the North West. Key areas of work include obtaining new premises licences and provisional licenses, planning issues and diversification work. Practice head Felicity Tulloch is a top choice for leisure sector clients, while senior associate Rebecca Ingram advises on all aspects of alcohol and entertainment licensing for premises including pubs, bars, restaurants, large event spaces, festivals and developments. The 'enormously experienced and knowledgeable' Anthony Lyons is also noted.
Licensing in North West
Kuit Steinart Levy LLP
Practice head(s):
Felicity Tulloch
Other key lawyers:
Anthony Lyons; Rebecca Ingram
Testimonials
‘Very efficient, easy to contact, friendly service – from the accounts team to the main contact.’
‘A superb licensing team with a pre-eminent reputation in the North West and an impressive client list in London.’
‘Felicity Tulloch has extremely good judgement and is very well connected.’
‘Rebecca Ingram is a rising young star in licensing.’
‘Kuits is one of the leading licensing firms in the country, and handles a significant proportion of Manchester’s hospitality work. The company also has strengths in planning and noise nuisance.’
‘Anthony Lyons is enormously experienced and knowledgeable and personable.’
‘Rebecca Ingram is great to work with. Always very responsive and provides excellent advice. Her knowledge of her sector is second to none.’
Key clients
Allied London
Brewdog Retail Limited
Bruntwood Estates
Flat Cap Hotels
GG Hospitality (The Stock Exchange Hotel & Hotel Football, Manchester)
Mission Mars Group
Revolution Bars Group
Somerset House Trust, London
The Alchemist Bar & Restaurant Limited
The New World Trading Company (UK) Limited
Work highlights
- Advisde on all licensing matters in England and Wales for Brewdog, including new and existing sites and a brand new Brewdog Hotel concept.
- Advised the fast growing Alchemist brand, dealing with all licensing matters in England and Wales for The Alchemist bars and restaurants.
- Advised on numerous matters for national property development and investment company Allied London, including in Manchester and Leeds.
Brabners LLP
Brabners LLP focuses on firearms licensing issues; the practice is headed up by Lachlan Nisbet, who acts for the British Association of Shooting and Conservation. The team advises on compliance issues, Section 5 offences, applications in respect of prohibited persons, kinetic testing failures, antique firearms and matters related to alcohol and psychiatry. The department also acts for a range of privately funded clients across the full spectrum of licensing issues, including alcohol and entertainment, gambling and vehicle licensing work.
Practice head(s):
Lachlan Nisbet
Other key lawyers:
Charlotte McRae
Testimonials
‘Best firearms licensing solicitors in England and Wales without a doubt. Completely understand the market and have more experience than anyone else.’
‘ Lachlan Nisbet runs a tight ship and is very knowledgeable – excellent at assessing the risks in this field. Charlotte is adored by clients for a can-do attitude and being approachable. Both go far beyond what might be expected. Dynamic team – who manage this market nationally from Liverpool.’
‘Charlotte McRae is a great addition to the team. She is hardworking and determined. She is a star and making a real impact. The clients love her.’
Key clients
British Association of Shooting and Conservation (BASC)
Work highlights
- Appointed as legal adviser for the British Association of Shooting and Conservation (BASC).
DAC Beachcroft LLP
DAC Beachcroft LLP's licensing team advises clients across a range of industries, including the real estate, hospitality, sport and health sectors. The group assists with all licensable activities and advises on the Licensing Act, the Gambling Act, marriage licences and specialist licensing mandates. Practice head Jan Levinson is an accredited mediator and handles contentious work.
Practice head(s):
Jan Levinson
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
Crest Nicholson Plc
Napthens LLP
Napthens LLP' Blackburn-based licensing team works with clients in the leisure industries encompassing breweries, pub chains, restaurant groups and hotel groups, acting on the full range of licensing requirements. Group head Malcolm Ireland is highly recommended for alcohol and entertainment licensing issues, and late night take-away licensing work, and also represents clients in Magistrates’ Court appeals, and judicial reviews.
Practice head(s):
Malcolm Ireland
Testimonials
‘They are always proactive and indeed during the everchanging regulatory framework during the Covid-19 pandemic, have been extremely helpful in challenging some of the enforcement actions taken by regulatory bodies which clearly have fallen outside the scope of the regulation and guidance.’
‘Malcolm Ireland is both knowledgeable and capable. He enjoys a good relationship with the licensing bodies in the North West where he has a strong network but is also very capable operating across a wider geography.’
‘The team is knowledgeable, pragmatic, always approachable and genuinely provides a collaborative service.’
‘Malcolm Ireland provides exceptional service levels for both corporate partners and individuals.’
‘I found Napthens very approachable, easy to work with and very informative about the process.’
‘Malcolm Ireland has his feet firmly in operational concerns and provides tremendous support and advice. His knowledge and advice is invaluable.’
Key clients
Daniel Thwaites Plc
Frederic Robinson
Admiral Taverns
Trust Inns
Timothy Taylor & Co
Hydes Brewery
Titanic Brewery
Holt Pub Company
Inglenook Inns & Taverns
Blind Tiger Inns
Leo Taverns
Zymurgorium
Seven Brothers Brewery
Whalley Wine Bar
High Spirits Leisure Group
Lancaster Brewery
Work highlights
- Advised an operator on the repurposing and reopening of a nightclub following the national lockdown.
- Obtained a premises licence enabling Northern Powerhouse Events Limited to host music festivals for up to 10,000 people in the historic Williamson Park in Lancaster with very flexible conditions.
- Acted on behalf of Admiral Taverns Limited in relation to a review of the premises licence from the police which sought revocation of the licence.
DWF
In DWF's Liverpool office, senior associate David Crank heads up the licensing team, acting for a range of clients including pubs, restaurants and hotels on obtaining and maintaining licences for the supply of alcohol and regulated entertainment.
Practice head(s):
David Crank