TLT’s Bristol office fields an ‘incredibly knowledgeable licensing team across the UK’, and the group is consequently instructed by notable pubs, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, brewers, hotels, visitor attractions, conference venues, galleries, theatres, and retailers running the length and breadth of the country. Practice head Matthew Phipps is described by one client as ‘sharp, practical and impressive’. Ewen Macgregor provides strategic and policy advice on all aspects of licensing, including in relation to acquisitions and developments, as well as handling enforcement mandates, and assisting with the maintenance of large licensed estates. Piers Warne rounds out the roster of dedicated experts.
Licensing in South West
TLT
Practice head(s):
Matthew Phipps
Other key lawyers:
Ewen Macgregor; Piers Warne
Testimonials
‘Ewen Macgregor is always available and proactive in dealing with licensing issues. He perfectly distils issues into layman’s terms to ensure he gets the most useful information from the business and provides regular updates.’
‘Incredibly knowledgeable licensing team across the UK. Always quick to respond with advice and work well with the local authority.’
‘Piers Warne is a breath of fresh air. Very supportive for all our licencing queries and always on hand to help make sense of changing legislation.’
‘The individuals who assist us are very capable, always make time for us, and think with a business mind rather than just a legal mind.’
‘Matthew Phipps is sharp, practical and impressive, and he does it all with a wonderful sense of humour. Ewen Macgregor supports in Matthew’s absence and is affable and smart.’
‘Matthew Phipps and his team are diligent and knowledgeable. They also quickly get to grips with more nuanced situations that ensures that we are always up to speed and working in the right way to achieve the best outcome.’
‘The personal, skilled and warm interaction with this company and team is exceptional. Ewen Macgregor is our primary contact, and is superb.’
‘Ewen Macgregor knows our business, takes time to understand it, and tailors his support accordingly. We receive first-class service on any issue we need support on.’
Key clients
Punch Pubs
St Austell Brewery Limited
Ambassador Theatre Group
WHSmith
Admiral Tavern Limited
Bloomsbury Leisure
KFC
Ashton Gate Limited
TVF Limited
Daylesford Organics Limited
Burges Salmon LLP
The team at Burges Salmon LLP has extensive experience in dealing with licensing and gaming regimes across multiple industries. The firm regularly assists with issues relating to multi-site licensed portfolios across the hotels, education and property management sectors, as well as advising a range of players from the leisure sphere, including sports stadia, racecourses, heritage sites, museums, and caravan parks. The firm has recently seen an increasing amount of work in relation to online retailers and operators. Practice lead Joanne Attwood ‘is simply superb in her knowledge of the licensed sector’.
Practice head(s):
Joanne Attwood
Testimonials
‘Joanne Attwood is simply superb in her knowledge of the licensed sector.’
‘We are continually impressed with their ability to understand and pick up complex deals and to provide the appropriate level of advice.’
‘All of the individuals display the qualities which we appreciate in the wider firm, including attention to detail, ability to describe and advise on complex issues. The ability to bring many different specialisms under one project and maintain a streamlined approach is greatly valued.’
‘A large, well-resourced firm with a broad spread of expert commercial knowledge. This gives their niche licensing service access to all aspects of commercial litigation and attendant imperatives.’
‘Joanne Attwood has significant knowledge and experience as a stand out licensing lawyer. Her client care skills are superb and she displays impressive commercial acumen. This, combined with a quick and enquiring intellect, ensures best client outcomes.’
Key clients
First Trenitalia West Coast Rail Limited
University of Bristol
Gravis Capital Partners LLP
Atlas Hotels Limited
London and Regional Group Hotel Holdings Ltd
Titan Investment Atlas Limited
Zetland Capital
Canadian & Riverside Estates/ Canadian & Portland Estates
Pandox AB
Work highlights
- Advising an online retailer on compliance issues under the Licensing Act 2003 and new alcohol licence applications required.
- Advising a large hotel franchise group on the acquisition of a number of new properties to its portfolio located across the UK, including assisting with review of licences and advice on necessary applications.
- Advising the University of Bristol on the management and operation of its large licensed premises portfolio.
Wollens
The ‘substantial and well respected licensing team’ at Wollens receives instruction from a wide range of major developers and hospitality companies. Chris Hart takes the lead on non-contentious issues, advising on the gamut of day-to-day and niche matters affecting football and other sports grounds, conference centres, music festival sites, distilleries, hotel complexes, nightclub premises, caravan parks, historic manor houses and country estates, business and leisure parks, vessels, amusement arcades, alcohol home delivery operations, and vineyards. Jon Dunkley oversees the contentious side, undertaking full advocacy services for licensing applications before both local authorities and courts.
Practice head(s):
Chris Hart
Other key lawyers:
Jon Dunkley
Testimonials
‘Wollens has a strong emphasis on delivering a bespoke service which suits the very different needs of individual businesses in relation to licensing.’
‘Chris Hart was able to offer us the exact professional advice required for our specific needs, advising not only on what we required but what wasn’t necessary also.’
‘Wollens has a substantial and well respected licensing team and are the leading presence in licensing law in the area.’
‘Chris Hart communicates really well with the local authority and responsible authorities for the Licensing Act 2003.’
‘Wollens take the time to understand your business before recommending a direction. Chris Hart not only took an interest but ensured everything was concluded within our timeline and discussed options if timelines couldn’t be reached. We couldn’t be happier.’
Key clients
Rockfish (Salcombe) Ltd
Salcombe Brewery Ltd
Sidney Pratt Builders Ltd
The Seahorse
That Group – Hilton Hotel
Coastal Distilling Co
Burrington Estates Winslade Park Ltd
Baranova Ltd
Woolacombe Bay Holiday Village Ltd
Dunchideock Ltd
Aaron Cousins
Fiona Cope
Maria Da Silva
Brian Whitty
Tina Pearce
Dennis Griffith
Rockfish (Plymouth) Ltd
Rockfish (Brixham) Ltd
Work highlights
- Assisting the Rockfish restaurant chain with the conversion, change of use and licensing of a new restaurant in the coastal town of Salcombe.
- Representing Sidney Pratt Builders Limited in its objection, on grounds of public nuisance and public safety, to a licensing application by a significant sports club which wished to use its stadium for live music events.
- Representing a joint campaign by The Seahorse restaurant and the Rockfish chain to be permitted (along with other neighbouring restaurants) to occupy and place structures on The Embankment waterfront in Dartmouth to extend their restaurant premises for use during the spring, summer and autumn months.
Laceys
In addition to carrying out the full scope of licensing work relating to pubs, clubs, restaurants, bars and off-licences, the team at Laceys also specialises in issues surrounding outdoor events and festivals. The group is well placed to handle both advisory and contentious work, including opposing applications brought by authorities. Brendan Herbert has taken over leadership of the department, supported by previous practice head Philip Day; both practitioners are based in Bournemouth.
Practice head(s):
Brendan Herbert
Other key lawyers:
Philip Day
Key clients
Hall & Woodhouse Ltd
Badminton Estate
Miaris Group
American Amusements
Isle of Wight Bowling Ltd
Brewers Quay Ltd
Stable Bar and Restaurants Ltd
National Outdoor Event Association