Licensing

The introduction of Phase 2 of Scotland's exit from the crisis was welcomed by many. A notable exception, however, was a large number of hospitality businesses, who had been gearing up to re-open outdoor spaces and start to welcome customers back, says Stephen McGowan. Those hopes were dashed when F

A licensing specialist has said local authority licensing boards need to "step up" and support the drinks trade to recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, The Courier reports. Licensed premises were ordered to close to stem the spread of the virus in March.

On 25 March, the Scottish government published new guidance on social distancing for businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak, including which businesses are allowed to remain open during the period of so-called “lockdown”. This comes into effect immediately, writes Stephen McGowan. Leisu

TLT has secured licences for three small independent breweries in Glasgow allowing direct sales to the public. Brewery trade sales to pubs and bars are being hit as they close or reduce operations in response to the current pandemic. Permission to sell directly to the public will help to fill the ga

TLT's licensing teams both in England and Wales and Scotland have answered some key questions on the uncertainty and disruption brought by COVID-19 and the potential impact on licences. Please note that this article is of relevance to all licensed premises and where the law varies in England & W

Licensing expert Stephen McGowan comments on the guidance issued by the Scottish government on mass gatherings. As of Monday 16 March 2020, the Scottish government recommends that all large gatherings or mass events of 500 people or more be cancelled or postponed.

Caroline Loudon and Piers Warne highlight issues premises licence holders should consider as the spread of COVID-19 continues. Supplier deliveries

TLT has secured a variation to an existing licence on Sauchiehall Street allowing iconic venue Campus to be re-homed. Campus bar, diner and nightclub is a long-established, award-winning operation on Glasgow’s busy Sauchiehall Street. It was suddenly closed in 2018 following devastation c

An expert commentator on civic licensing has warned of a “flood” of licence applications for short-term lets in Scotland that could reach tens of thousands. Stephen McGowan, partner and head of licensing in Scotland at UK law firm TLT, was commenting in response to the Scottish governmen

A Wetherspoons recently failed "test purchases" where police sent cadets into pubs to try and play gaming machines, to see if they would be asked for ID. The venue has had its gaming machine permit revoked as a result. This is the latest in a number of recent developments in this area that clearly p

TLT has obtained a permanent 3am licence for LIQRS, a late night bar premises in Dumfries town centre. The firm convinced the Nithsdale division of the Dumfries & Galloway licensing board to grant the request as an exception to its own policy which caps trading hours at 2am in the town.

TLT’s head of licensing (Scotland), Stephen McGowan, has secured a new licence for the San Vincenzo Italian restaurant and delicatessen in Bothwell – overcoming a previous refusal, trade opposition and the licensing board policy on overprovision which had declared the Bothwell locality a