DEPARTMENT PROFILE

Poppleston Allen

Licensing

5 ranked lawyers

Band 1

The Regions

UK 2022 View ranking table

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What the team is known for

Poppleston Allen is an acclaimed specialist licensing firm that counts a host of leading names from the casual dining, hospitality and late-night entertainment industries among its clients. Equipped to handle the licensing aspects of large-scale acquisitions, and also sought after for its representation of clients in contested hearings and licence reviews.

Work highlights

Acted for Boparan Restaurant Group on the successful transfer of licences after its acquisition of Carluccio's and Gourmet Burger Kitchen out of administration.

Notable practitioners

Andy Grimsey is based in Poppleston Allen's Nottingham office. He is a licensing specialist who is noted for his expertise in liquor licensing.

Graeme Cushion is particularly adept at advising bars, casual dining and late-night venue clients. His broad practice spans new premises licence applications and licence reviews, in addition to enforcement matters.
"He is very good. He communicates well, he's patient and understanding and he responds quickly to our requests."

James Anderson handles matters for clients from a range of sectors, with specific strength in representing clients in the pub industry. His experience includes providing counsel on acquisitions and carrying out due diligence reviews, in addition to advising on licence transfers and regulatory compliance.
"He is extremely knowledgeable in the area."

Jonathan Smith handles matters for clients from a range of sectors, with specific strength in representing clients in the pub industry. His experience includes providing counsel on acquisitions and carrying out due diligence reviews, in addition to advising on regulatory enforcement action.

Managing partner Lisa Sharkey is renowned in the licensing sphere. She provides expert advice to clients from the hospitality sector. She is experienced in representing clients before licensing committees and regulatory bodies in relation to variations among other matters. She is particularly noted for her expert handling of matters involving cumulative impact zones.
"She is excellent technically and listens to clients. She always looks to make the client's life easier.""She is experienced, knowledgeable and has excellent judgement.""She is obviously extremely experienced, but she is also very detail-oriented and makes sure everything is done absolutely correctly."

Department Information

This content is provided by Poppleston Allen.

Overview

The firm advises a wide cross section of the UK's leading leisure operators including multi-site and independently owned pubs/bars, restaurants, late night venues, hotels and betting and gaming premises. The firm provides advice to such clients on licensing, gambling and associated regulatory crime.

The firm has extensive experience in obtaining new licences and licence variations in cumulative impact areas, provides advice to UK Hospitality and the British Bar and Pub Association and is consulted upon by the Home Office on legislative changes. A number of the partners sit on both local and national committees of the Institute of Licensing. The firm also provides a full range of licensing and gaming training courses.