Licencing Solicitors

Complex licensing applications and disputes require legal expertise delivered at speed whilst being meticulously accurate. Our corporate and commercial law solicitors, based in Holborn and with over 20 years of experience can handle any licencing matter, whether in London or elsewhere in the UK.

Under the Licensing Act 2003, you need a premises licence to sell alcohol, provide regulated entertainment, or offer late-night refreshment in England and Wales. Trading without one risks fines, licence restrictions, or being forced to stop. If you are opening new premises, taking over an existing licensed business, or facing a licence review or objection, the application and compliance process needs to be handled correctly from the outset. We advise on licensing matters from offices in Stratford E15, Holborn WC1V, and Croydon CR0, and we are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

What does our licencing service cover?

A licensing application or dispute involves both the licensing authority’s own processes and the risk of objections from other parties. We advise and act on:

Premises licence applications under the Licensing Act 2003, for restaurants, bars, hotels, and other venues selling alcohol or providing regulated entertainment.
Personal licence applications, required if you will act as the designated premises supervisor authorising the sale of alcohol.
Variations to your existing premises licence, including changes to licensable activities, opening hours, or licensed areas.
Transfers of premises licences, where your business changes ownership and the licence needs to move with it.
Temporary event notices, for one-off or occasional licensable activities that fall outside a standard premises licence.
Responding to representations and objections made against your licence application by responsible authorities or local residents.
Licence review proceedings, defending your licence where a review has been triggered by a complaint or breach.
Appeals against licensing authority decisions, including refusals, conditions imposed, and review outcomes.
Advising on other regulated activities requiring a licence, including gambling and gaming machine permits.

Why choose Law Lane for licencing matters?

Our Holborn office is well placed for City businesses and corporate clients. We advise start-ups and growth-stage companies that have outgrown informal arrangements and need proper documentation before they can take the next step, as well as more established businesses facing specific transactions or disputes.

We are a multilingual firm. Our solicitors speak a range of languages, and we advise many clients from international backgrounds doing business in England and Wales. If your transaction involves overseas shareholders or cross-border elements, we can manage the English law side clearly and effectively.

Get in touch

Whether you are applying for a new licence or facing a review, our commercial team can guide you through the process.

Phone: 020 7870 4870

Email: info@lawlanesolicitors.co.uk

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“We had a great experience with Tahira during our commercial lease renewal. She was professional, responsive and provided clear advice throughout what was a fairly complex process. We really appreciated her commercial understanding and attention to detail. Highly recommended.“ – A (July 2026)

Frequently Asked Questions – Licencing

Do I need both a premises licence and a personal licence?

Generally, yes. Under the Licensing Act 2003, your premises licence authorises the venue itself for licensable activities, while a personal licence is held by an individual and is required for the designated premises supervisor who has day-to-day responsibility for the sale of alcohol at that venue. You need both in place and kept up to date, since a gap between them can leave you trading unlawfully. We advise on what licences your specific business model requires.

What counts as a licensable activity?

The sale of alcohol, the provision of regulated entertainment such as live music or dancing, and the provision of late-night refreshment between eleven at night and five in the morning are the main licensable activities under the Act. Certain exemptions apply depending on the nature and scale of the activity, so check whether your event or venue actually needs a licence before assuming it does. We can advise on whether your planned activity falls within the licensing regime.

What happens if someone objects to my licence application?

Responsible authorities, such as the police or environmental health, and local residents can make representations against your application, and if a relevant representation is made, the licensing authority must hold a hearing before deciding it. A well-prepared application that anticipates likely concerns, such as noise or crime and disorder, reduces the risk of an objection succeeding. We help prepare applications that address these concerns from the outset and represent you at licensing hearings.

Can my licence be reviewed or taken away once it has been granted?

Yes. A responsible authority or interested party can apply to review your existing premises licence, typically following a complaint, an incident at the venue, or a breach of licence conditions. Following a review, the licensing authority can modify your licence conditions, suspend the licence, or revoke it entirely in serious cases. We represent you if you are facing a licence review and work to protect it wherever possible.

How much does an initial consultation cost?

We offer a fixed-fee initial consultation for company and commercial matters. At that meeting, we listen to your situation, identify the legal issues, and explain the steps and costs involved. Get in touch to arrange a time.