Hall Of Fame

Leading Individuals

Licensing in South West

TLT

TLT‘s ‘incredibly knowledgeable‘ team undertakes all estate management licensing matters on behalf of a wide roster of national household names; the practice spans the whole of the country, and the firm consequently has experience of working with all of the licensing authority areas across England and Wales. Enforcement is another key area of activity; solicitor advocate Ewen Macgregor is particularly active in this space. Matthew Phipps oversees the practice. As well as advising several large pub estates, the group also counts restaurant operators, hotels, galleries and retailers among its core clients.

Practice head(s):

Matthew Phipps


Other key lawyers:

Ewen Macgregor; Piers Warne; Andrew Griffin


Testimonials

‘The team are incredibly knowledgeable about licencing, and best practice across the UK.’

‘Piers Warne is very knowledgeable and personable. He is always very generous with his time and expertise to help.’

‘They are always willing to put forward policies that are practical and well considered, and are always ready to incorporate new ideas and advice on the legal ramifications.’

Key clients

Punch Pubs


Ashton Gate Limited


St Austell Brewery Limited


Ambassador Theatre Group


WH Smith


Admiral Tavern Limited


Welcome Break Limited


Daylesford Organic Limited


Accor


Shindig Festival


Work highlights


  • Advising Punch Pubs on all general licensing management work across England and Wales.
  • Assisting Ashton Gate with issues following the refusal by Bristol City Council to sanction a proposed gig by Arctic Monkeys.
  • Assisted St Austell Brewery with all new acquisitions throughout the course of 2022.

Burges Salmon LLP

Recently, the team at Burges Salmon LLP has been particularly active in the hotel and leisure, education and property sectors, leveraging its experience of advising on multi-site licensing portfolios to assist clients. New premises licence applications, variations of existing licences, and compliance issues all form part of the group’s typical workload. Consultant Joanne Attwood heads up the practice, and is singled out for her ability to ‘offer a first-rate service to clients‘.


Practice head(s):

Joanne Attwood


Testimonials

‘Its strength lies in the high degree of professionalism, expert legal knowledge and pragmatic approach combined with exceptional client care, back-up and resources.’

‘Joanne Attwood is a standout licensing lawyer whose extensive licensing knowledge and experience combines with her superb client care skills to offer a first-rate service to clients.’

Key clients

English Heritage


Historic England


University of Bristol


Atlas Hotels Limited


London and Regional Group Hotel Holdings Ltd


Titan Investment Atlas Limited


Zetland Capital


Canadian & Riverside Estates/ Canadian & Portland Estates


Work highlights


  • Advised English Heritage on a premises licence major variation application for a London heritage site.
  • Advised University of Bristol on a new application for a premises licence within its licensed portfolio of premises licences and club premises certificates.
  • Advising a hotel franchise group on the acquisition of multiple licensed hotel properties.

Wollens

At Wollens, contentious and advisory licensing matters are handled by Chris Hart and Jon Dunkley, respectively; the latter undertakes full advocacy services relating to licensing applications before both local authorities and courts. The firm is particularly well established across the Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset regions. The team is also noted for its significant experience of making successful applications within cumulative impact areas.

Practice head(s):

Chris Hart


Other key lawyers:

Jon Dunkley


Testimonials

‘They can tailor advice and expertise to the relevant sector. All options were discussed and advice offered before making the successful applications.’

‘Chris Hart and his team made the the whole process seamless, straightforward, and kept us informed as the applications were submitted. They understood what we wanted to achieve with the licences and offered clear advice throughout.’

‘Engagement was excellent at every point from enquiry to completion. We have recommended other business contacts to instruct them for their licensing requirements.’

‘Wollens were very professional – knew exactly what we needed and got on with it.’

‘Matters are dealt with speedily and efficiently and there is always someone on hand to talk to if we have any concerns or questions. The advice is always spot on.’

‘Chris Hart is contactable at almost any time of the day or night and comes back very quickly. He is professional and approachable and nothing is too much trouble.’

Key clients

Burrington Estates Winslade Park Ltd


Rockfish Ltd


Bootleggers Bar Ltd


THAT Torquay Hotel Ltd


Torquay Coastal Drinks Ltd


Harbour 16


Work highlights


  • Advising Burrington Estates Winslade Park on its licensing application for the grounds to be used as a festival venue.
  • Successful assisted Hilton Hotel with an urgent application for variation to an existing premises licence in order to extend its licensed area to include additional function, events and hospitality spaces.
  • Assisting Torquay Coastal Drinks with a premises licence for a new gin distillery in the centre of Torquay.

Laceys

Laceys‘ Bournemouth-based offering has a ‘fantastic reputation across the country‘. In addition to handling advisory licensing work for pubs, clubs, restaurants, bars and off-licences – which regularly includes assisting with applications for new licences and variations of existing licences – the team also specialises in mandates relating to outdoor events and festivals. Philip Day oversees the department, with support from Byron Sims.

Practice head(s):

Philip Day


Other key lawyers:

Byron Sims


Testimonials

‘Laceys are a fantastic ally for all matters legal licensing. Working across a number of projects and situations, they are incredibly empathetic to the requirements of clients and bring an exceptional level of experience and expertise to discussions.’

‘A great experience and pleasure to deal with always.’

‘We deal in particular with Philip Day and Byron Sims. In all dealings they have been incredibly helpful, supportive and shared their knowledge and expertise.’

Key clients

Hall and Woodhouse


The Stable Bar & Restaurants Limited


Sourdough South Limited


BCP Council


Great Dorset Steam Fair


The Beat Herder Festival


South Coast Events Group


The Miaris Group


Conroy’s Bar Ltd


Café Riva


Shore Lines Food Limited


Tall Bars Limited


Trethowans LLP


Caffeine Weymouth


The Coach House and Inns Limited


Eventive Funtime Limited


Shakespeare Martineau LLP

Under the leadership of Melissa Toney, Shakespeare Martineau LLP provides an end-to-end service for businesses requiring alcohol and entertainment licensing. The team is most widely known for advising on matters under the Licensing Act 2003 and Gambling Act 2005. The group’s client roster comprises multi-site food, drink and hospitality operators, as well as a growing portfolio of independent traders, start-ups and SMEs.


Practice head(s):

Melissa Toney


Key clients

Ganesta Georgian Holdings Ltd


Accor UK Business and Leisure Hotels Limited and Accor UK Economy Hotels Ltd


Vertex Investment Ltd


The Salt Rooms Ltd


Local Off Licence


The BlackRock Restaurant Group


La Bottega Bristol Ltd


Stay On Course Ltd


Bosco Bristol Ltd


Last Orders Bristol Ltd


Work highlights


  • Advised Stay on Course, an Irish company, on securing an on-track bookmakers licence at Cheltenham racecourse.
  • Acting on behalf of Last Orders Bristol to avoid enforcement action being brought by the Licensing Authority following the operation of an alcohol wholesaler shop without a licence.
  • Advised Coal Shed on securing a licence for two venues within cumulative impact areas in Brighton and Hove City Council.