Licensing

At Harrison Drury, we have a dedicated team of specialist licensing solicitors who have a wealth of experience advising clients on a wide range of alcohol and entertainment law matters.

Given the team’s breadth and depth of experience, we are able to deal with all aspects of licensing law and there are few scenarios that the team has not previously encountered. Whether we’re dealing with a sensitive issue that requires a gentle and strategic approach, or an issue that requires more robust representation, our team provides pragmatic advice to achieve the best commercial outcome for our client. The team has formed trusted relationships with several Responsible Authorities at local, regional and national levels and have an enviable success rate at hearings, which demonstrates our ability to navigate the most complex and sensitive cases.

We act for a diverse client base ranging from small scale or newly-established single-site operators through to large regional breweries with extensive property portfolios that have existed for centuries, and to some of the largest pub companies in the UK.

We take the time to understand the needs and preferences of each client and tailor our delivery of service accordingly, acting for some clients on the basis of individual and ad-hoc issues, and, acting for others on the basis of all-encompassing retainers that make us responsible for identifying and managing risks across significant portfolios of licensed properties.

We work closely alongside other departments to provide a fully comprehensive service to our clients, whether that is with commercial property acting for a client taking on a lease of a public house, or with colleagues in corporate acquiring shares in a hotel business, ensuring a seamless experience.

Our team of licensing solicitors also offer a Licensed Estate Management service whereby we handle all aspects of a client’s day-to-day licensing needs for a fixed monthly fee. The service includes the free provision of our innovative online tool which is accessible on mobile devices, provides ease of access to documents as well as template due diligence records and other useful resources.

The team are also proud members of the below association.

We can help with:

Change-overs

Licensed Estate Management

New Premises Licences and Variations

Club Premises Certificates

Defence of Enforcement

Magistrates’ Court Appeals

Due Diligence and Reporting for Acquisitions, Investments or Funder Requirements

S.E.V’s

Temporary Event Notices

Pavement Licences

CVA’s, Administrations & Insolvencies

Advice for Other Professional Firms

Training

Meet our Licensing team

Malcolm Ireland

Partner Licensing

t: 01200 401131

m: 07436 219979

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Samantha Faud

Senior Associate Solicitor Licensing

t: 01200 407324

m: 07920 557561

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Tom Connell

Apprentice Solicitor Licensing

t: 01772 925311

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Harrison Drury’s Licensing Team showed a great level of support, and genuine empathy for our situation which, in our experience, is rare.

Tunde Olaleye, Review Cocktail Bar

I wouldn’t be in this position without Harrison Drury!

Simon Widdowson, Nag’s Head

Harrison Drury’s licensing team helped me defend an application for review that sought to revoke my premises licence, and I will be eternally grateful for their assistance. Thanks to their representation, within the space of twelve months I have gone from facing closure and losing my business to trading well at my first site and looking to take on a second one. I wouldn’t be in this position without them.

A very friendly and helpful team.

A very friendly and helpful team who go the extra mile to provide a very unique and quality service. We have worked with Harrison Drury on many complex licensing cases and they come with amazing advice and well-thought-out action plans to help with our needs.

Knowledge of licensing and hospitality is second-to-none in the area.

Legal 500

All of the team appear excellent in this field but, in particular, Malcolm Ireland is the go-to person for specific advice or information. Openness to resolve issues by differing methods and approaches is recognised and appreciated.

This is a close-knit team which brings with it a vast amount of industry experience relevant to our needs.

Legal 500

Thanks for your help with this, your efficiency and professionalism are much appreciated.

I’m very happy with their work and I would highly recommend them.

Craig Kennedy, Drop the Beat Festival

I have had the pleasure of working with Malcolm and his team on a couple of premises licences over the past few years. I’m very happy with their work and their approach and I would highly recommend them.

Malcolm Ireland, Samantha Faud, and the rest of the team are exceptionally knowledgeable in this field.

My personal experience of Harrison Drury & Co relates to licensing matters under the Licensing Act 2003. What I can say with absolute certainty is that Malcolm Ireland, Samantha Faud, and the rest of the team are exceptionally knowledgeable in this field. I firmly feel that they are innovative and prepared, thorough, very conscious of attention to detail, and tireless in their effort for the customer.

I would recommend Malcolm and Harrison Drury’s services to anybody who asks.

Simon Tauber, Stanley House Hotel & Spa

After the first phone call with Malcolm to discuss our Premises Licence I knew that Harrison Drury was the right company to advise the hotel on the best route to take. Malcolm used his vast knowledge and expertise in this area to ensure the hotel had every area covered in our application, he went above and beyond and I am grateful that I chose Harrison Drury to handle our application. Thank you Malcolm.

A practical and sensible approach to hospitality and licensing cases.

Legal 500

Malcolm Ireland is always meticulous in his instructions and his preparation for cases. He is easy to talk with and great for discussing tactics. He takes a practical and sensible approach to hospitality and licensing cases. I also work with Samantha Faud, of whom I also have the highest regard.

Malcolm Ireland is unparalleled locally for his licensing work. The work and engagement of his team is also exceptional.

Malcolm Ireland will always present the best case based on commercial risk which is very different and refreshing.

Legal 500

I found the team I worked with to be exemplary.

Legal 500

Experienced, well established and respected practice that are always willing to listen and work with you to resolve issues.

Legal 500

Communication and response times are always excellent.

Malcolm Ireland and Samantha Faud have been very approachable and keen to work with us to resolve any issues or concerns.

Legal 500

They have a pragmatic approach whilst always being reasonable and proportionate in our discussions. The knowledge and experience the licensing team has is considerable and respected and I regard them as one of the national leads in the licensing law field.

Our Clients

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Harrison Drury strengthens hospitality team with Malcolm Ireland appointment

Popular village pub in Barley saved from closure by locals

Our Clients

We are proud to work with with a range of clients from SMEs and owner managed businesses, to sole traders, PLCs and large corporates as well as with individuals and families of all sha