With an in-depth understanding of Scottish licensing law, the team at Miller Samuel Hill Brown Solicitors is geared to handle an array of matters encompassing both contentious and non-contentious issues. The team’s extensive experience draws in a roster of household name clients as well as a growing public sector offering. Practice chair Audrey Junner‘s specialism in liquor and gambling licensing sees her regularly appear in Licensing Board hearings on behalf of clients in the hospitality and retail sector. The team also benefits from the experience of seasoned practitioners Jack Cummins and Peter Lawson on mandates in the hospitality, retail, and transport sectors. Chloe Crawford is recognised for her civic and liquor licensing experience, frequently appearing at Licensing Board hearings.
Licensing in Scotland
Miller Samuel Hill Brown Solicitors
Responsables de la pratique:
Audrey Junner
Autres avocats clés:
Peter Lawson; Jack Cummins; Chloe Crawford
Les références
‘Excellent support in Premises License and Gaming Permit requirements.’
‘First class communication and delivery.’
‘Their advice and work is always first rate and the team are all very helpful and approachable.’
Principaux clients
Co-operative Group Food Limited
Six by Nico Group
Brewdog Retail Limited
Nando’s Chickenland Ltd
Mitchells & Butlers Retail Limited
Stonegate Pub Company Limited
Tenpin Limited
Tesco Stores Limited
Chivas Brothers Limited
Ascona Retail Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Co-operative Group Food Limited on several provisional premises licence applications and transfer applications as part of a national expansion.
- Advised Clydeside Initiative for Arts Limited t/a SWG3 on a premises licence review following a series of highly publicised drug-related deaths.
- Advised TSH Glasgow Opco Limited on the acquisition of both a Premises Licence and an HMO Licence for the new Social Hub in Glasgow city centre.
TLT
TLT‘s team of specialist lawyers are well-versed in all aspects of licensing mandates. The team has brought its experience to bear on a number of major and complex projects for household name clients in the hospitality, retail and leisure sectors. The practice is spearheaded by Stephen McGowan, whose track record in contentious Licensing Board hearings wins him instructions from an extensive list of clients from the liquor, gambling, and entertainment industries. Caroline Loudon utilises her background as a commercial litigator to routinely represent high-level clients from the gambling sector, while Lynn Simpson bolsters the firm’s short-term let licensing offering.
Responsables de la pratique:
Stephen McGowan
Autres avocats clés:
Caroline Loudon; Lynn Simpson
Les références
‘This team has made it their mission to get to know the workings of every licensing board, they are prompt, responsive, and lovely to deal with. If there is a way to get something done, they will find it for you.’
‘Always someone available to help with any issues that we have.’
‘Caroline Loudon is the contact that we work closely with, nothing is too much trouble for her, very helpful.’
Principaux clients
Aldi Stores Limited
Sainsbury’s
Celtic FC
Ian Macleod Distillers
Flight Club
Chris Stewart Group
Signature Group
Greene King
Rangers FC
National Trust for Scotland
Principaux dossiers
- Instructed by Uber Scot Limited for licensing work under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 to obtain booking office licences to allow Uber to operate in two cities in Scotland.
- Advised Welcome Break on licensing two potentially “excluded” premises within a motorway service station.
- Acted on behalf of Ambassador Theatre Group which own Edinburgh’s famous Playhouse Theatre; the client bought the neighbouring licensed premises, a former LGBT venue called Cafe Habana, and incorporated the site into the main theatre licence.
Harper Macleod LLP
Advising on the full spectrum of licensing regulation, Harper Macleod LLP regularly handles licensing applications, hearings, and appeals. The team is a port of call for high-profile clients from the forecourt, leisure and hospitality sectors. Practice head Andrew Hunter has a strong book of work relating to liquor, gambling, and civic government licensing and works closely with John McHugh. Angus Brown is noted for his litigation expertise across mandates from the forecourt and property sectors.
Responsables de la pratique:
Andrew Hunter
Autres avocats clés:
John McHugh; Angus Brown
Les références
‘We have been working with Andrew Hunter at Harper Macleod since Licensing transition in 2007. He is very knowledgeable and always comes up with good advice and solutions to challenges. We find Andrew and his team very approachable, and they always respond quickly to our queries.’
‘The team have excellent communication skills.’
‘Andrew takes time to listen to the issues at hand and always provides advice that is in the best interest of the client. Andrew prides himself on following up on matters until a resolution is obtained or the matter has been determined at hearing. He provides clear, concise advice.’
Principaux clients
Motor Fuel Limited
Forest Holidays Limited
Lidl Great Britain Limited
Macdonald & Muir Limited
Greene King Brewing & Retail Limited
Royal Tain Hotel Limited
Highland Fuels Limited
BP Oil UK Limited
Rosemount Taverns Limited
Hotel Chocolat Retail Limited
Principaux dossiers
Morton Fraser MacRoberts
With a ‘diverse range of expertise’, the team at Morton Fraser MacRoberts is experienced in all manner of licensing mandates from both the public and private sector. The team’s diverse client base sees it receive instructions from the hospitality, charitable, and retail sectors. The team is led by David Hossack, who is able to leverage his vast experience before licensing boards to guide clients through licensing applications and hearings. Ewan McGillivray has established himself as a go-to name for civic government licensing matters, while Dana Strain offers assistance on liquor licensing mandates.
Responsables de la pratique:
David Hossack
Autres avocats clés:
Ewan McGillivray; Dana Strain
Les références
‘Diverse range of expertise of the team, they listen to the issues first before making recommendations and work through the options with you.’
‘David Hossack, a powerful mediator and he is able to understand what a client needs for their business to be successful.’
‘David Hossack has been dealing with all my licensing matters for many years and he has always been very good, very professional.’
Principaux clients
WeWork Community Workspace UK Limited
Diageo Scotland Ltd
Accor (UK) Hotels
Travelodge Hotels
Parabola
Historic Environment Scotland
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
MCL Recipe Limited
Deaf Action
Security Industry Association
Principaux dossiers
- Obtained a new licence for Historic Scotland Enterprises Limited for a visitor centre at Caerlaverock Castle.
- Obtained a variation of a licence for Diageo for Glenkinchie distillery Brand Home to allow a greater range of activities.
- Obtained a Provisional Premises Licence for the Port Ellen distillery visitor experience.
Pinsent Masons LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP is well regarded for its licensing work across the Scottish market, with liquor, gambling and civic government licensing issues all falling within the unit’s purview. The team is noted in the hospitality, tourism, and leisure sectors for its experience handling high-value and complex licensing applications and transactions. The practice benefits from the expertise of Audrey Ferrie, who routinely appears at licensing hearings on behalf of clients from the hospitality and leisure sectors. Abbie Hunter is active on short-term let licensing, and Christine Pirie has a strong track record appearing at Licensing Board hearings.
Autres avocats clés:
Audrey Ferrie; Abbie Hunter; Christine Pirie
Les références
‘Very knowledgeable regarding Scottish Licensing Laws and assist with application for license, updates, Training for Personal Licence and and License holders, license updates and renewals etc.’
‘Audrey Ferry and the team are very knowledgeable and helpful. Also very good at following up.’
Principaux clients
ADAGIO HOTELS UK LIMITED
ADIL GROUP – KFC & TACO BELL
AZZURRI RESTAURANTS LIMITED (ASK & ZIZZI)
EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE LIMITED
LARGO LEISURE GROUP LIMITED
PIZZA EXPRESS LIMITED
ROYAL YACHT ENTERPRISES LIMITED (BRITANNIA & FINGAL)
TESCO PLC/TESCO STORES LIMITED
WAGAMAMA LIMITED
YO! SUSHI LIMITED
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Royal Yacht Enterprises Limited on the provisional grant of a new premises licence for its refurbished Visitor Centre and Retail Shop.
- Advised Wagamama on the licensing for its new restaurant in the centre of Glasgow.
- Obtained a new alcohol licence for Tesco Express premises in a new development at The Wisp, Edmonstone, Midlothian.
Anderson Strathern
Lauded for its 'great insight and advice', the team at Anderson Strathern is highly skilled at handling both the transactional and contentious elements of licensing instructions. Representative work for the group covers mandates from the hospitality, retail, and public sectors. Katrina Lumsdaine leads the group, and Scott Flannigan is noted for his prowess on the contentious side of licensing work, often representing clients from the hospitality industry in alcohol and late-night catering applications. Eilidh MacEwan is instructed by public sector clients to act in appeals.
Responsables de la pratique:
Katrina Lumsdaine
Autres avocats clés:
Scott Flannigan; Eilidh MacEwan
Les références
‘We have worked with Anderson Strathern for many years now and have always found them efficient, timely and trustworthy. I would gladly recommend Anderson Strathern to anyone who wanted advice.’
‘Just a great team to work with, with great insight and advice for the local areas we operate in.’
‘Eilidh MacEwan stood out for me because of her straightforward and prompt approach to communication, skilful negotiation and awareness of client sensitivities.’
Principaux clients
Scottish Midland Co-operative Society Limited
Union Street Café Limited
JMS Properties (Scotland) Limited
McDonald’s Restaurants Limited
JE Restaurants Ltd
Dishoom
Fanfare Restaurants Limited
City of Edinburgh Council
Merlin Entertainments (Sea Life) Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Undertake all of Scotmid’s licensing work, submitting numerous applications and variations, mostly for alcohol premises licences.
- Involved as a legal adviser of Union Street Café Limited, advising the team on various licensing aspects of the recently opened restaurant at St Andrews Square, Edinburgh.
- Undertake all of McDonald’s licensing work in Scotland (for both McDonalds and its franchisees), submitting numerous applications and variations, mostly for late hours catering licences.
Shepherd and Wedderburn
Acting for high-profile clients from the retail, hospitality, and taxi sectors, Shepherd and Wedderburn‘s practice is well-geared to handle the full range of licensing matters from new applications to variations and compliance issues. Kevin Clancy heads up the practice and handles various matters pertaining to alcohol, taxi and late hours catering applications. Serena Weir stands out for her skillset on contentious licensing board hearings and is often supported by Kirsty MacCorquodale.
Responsables de la pratique:
Kevin Clancy
Autres avocats clés:
Serena Weir; Kirsty MacCorquodale
Les références
‘A strong dedicated team in respect to knowledge of liquor licencing.’
Principaux clients
Crerar Hotel Group Limited
Dobbies Garden Centres
Dakota Hotels
Uber Scot Limited
TG Convenience Stores Limited
University of Edinburgh Accommodation Limited
Duchally House Leisure Limited
Balmoral Hotel
The Witchery by the Castle
Principaux dossiers
- Acting for the University of Edinburgh in respect of a new premises licence for the Edinburgh Futures Institute.
- Acting for The Witchery in respect of a new premises licence application.
- Appearing at numerous licensing committee hearings, representing applicants for short-term lets licences.