Licensing
Licensing
Licensing law is complex, highly regulated and, for many businesses, critical to continued trading and growth. Whether you operate a pub, restaurant, hotel, convenience store, event venue, supermarket or festival site, getting licensing matters wrong can have serious consequences for both your business and the individuals responsible for running it.
A premises licence is often the lifeblood of a business. With increasing scrutiny from licensing authorities, local councils and the police, licence holders must ensure they remain compliant with their legal obligations and licensing conditions at all times.
At Napthens, our specialist licensing solicitors help businesses secure licences, maintain compliance and resolve licensing issues with confidence. We provide practical, commercially focused advice that protects your business, supports growth and minimises regulatory risk.
We act for more than 500 leisure sector clients across England and Wales, making us one of the region’s most experienced legal teams advising licensed businesses.
Specialist Licensing Support
Napthens works in association with Gill Sherratt of Licensing Matters, one of the region’s leading licensing specialists.
Gill manages licensing matters on behalf of our clients, bringing extensive experience across the hospitality, leisure, retail and events sectors. Working alongside Napthens’ wider legal team, clients benefit from specialist licensing expertise backed by the resources and support of a full-service commercial law firm.
Whether you need assistance with a new premises licence application, licence variation, licensing review, staff training or ongoing compliance, our team can provide the support you need.
How Our Licensing Solicitors Can Help
We advise businesses on all aspects of licensing law, helping clients obtain, manage and protect the licences they rely on.
Our licensing team can:
- Guide you through premises licence applications from start to finish
- Manage variations to existing premises licences
- Assist with personal licence applications
- Handle Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) applications and changes
- Advise on licensing reviews and hearings
- Respond to enforcement action and regulatory concerns
- Provide staff licensing training and compliance support
- Carry out licensing compliance audits
- Help protect your business reputation and trading ability
- Liaise directly with licensing authorities, responsible authorities and local councils
Our aim is to help your business operate confidently while remaining fully compliant with licensing legislation.
Types of Licensed Premises We Support
Our licensing solicitors act for a wide range of licensed businesses and organisations, including:
- City centre bars
- City centre event venues
- Convenience stores and off-licences
- Filling stations
- Hotels
- Late-night takeaways
- Pubs and pub company operators
- Restaurants
- Rural estates hosting weddings and events
- Supermarkets
- Concert and festival organisers
- Leisure and hospitality businesses
We understand the operational realities facing licensed premises and provide advice tailored to your sector, customer base and trading model.
Our Licensing Services
We provide support across the full spectrum of licensing law, including:
- New premises licence applications (see premise licence pricing)
- Premises licence transfers
- Premises licence variations
- Minor variation applications
- Personal licence applications
- Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) applications
- Alcohol licensing advice
- Entertainment licensing
- Late-night refreshment licensing
- Licensing reviews
- Licensing hearings and appeals
- Compliance audits
- Staff licensing training
- Level 2 Personal Licence Holder training
- Ongoing licensing compliance support
AfterHours Licensing Support
AfterHours is the specialist licensing support team operating within the Napthens Group, making us one of the few law firms in England and Wales with dedicated licensing expertise.
This unique service provides ongoing support to licensed operators, helping them navigate regulatory requirements, maintain compliance and respond quickly when licensing issues arise.
By combining specialist licensing knowledge with wider legal expertise, we provide clients with peace of mind that their business is protected and supported as it grows.
Speak to Our Licensing Team
Whether you are launching a new venture, acquiring licensed premises, expanding your operations or seeking ongoing compliance support, our specialist licensing solicitors can help.
We provide clear, practical advice that enables businesses to operate confidently while staying on the right side of licensing law.
Get in touch today via our form to speak with an expert.
FAQs
A premises licence allows a business to carry out licensable activities such as selling alcohol, providing regulated entertainment or offering late-night refreshment from specific premises.
You may need a premises licence if your business sells alcohol, hosts regulated entertainment or serves hot food and drink late at night. The requirements depend on the activities taking place and your operating hours.
A Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) is the person named on a premises licence who is responsible for the day-to-day authorisation of alcohol sales and compliance with licensing requirements.
A personal licence allows an individual to authorise the sale of alcohol at licensed premises and is commonly required for those responsible for alcohol sales.
Applications are typically prepared within one to two weeks of receiving full instructions. Once submitted, there is normally a minimum consultation period of 28 days before a decision is made.
Yes. A premises licence can usually be transferred to a new owner when a licensed business changes hands, helping ensure continuity of trading.
A licence review may be triggered where concerns are raised about a premises. The licensing authority can impose additional conditions, suspend the licence or revoke it in serious cases.
Breaches of licence conditions can result in enforcement action, fines, licence reviews or restrictions being imposed on the business.
Staff should receive appropriate licensing training to understand their responsibilities, support compliance and reduce the risk of licensing issues arising.
Yes. Napthens advises businesses on premises licence applications, licence variations, DPS appointments, compliance, staff training and licensing reviews.
Yes. We advise businesses facing licensing reviews, enforcement action and regulatory investigations, helping protect licences and support ongoing compliance.
Temporary Event Notices (TENs) may be required where licensable activities are taking place without a premises licence. The requirements will depend on the nature and scale of the event.
The cost of a premises licence application depends on the type of application, the rateable value of the premises and whether any objections or hearings arise. Napthens offers fixed-fee licensing services for many straightforward applications from £850 + VAT. View our licensing pricing information for further details.
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