All Licencing articles
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OpinionWhat is our positive vision for the high street?
It’s all very well targeting vape shops, gambling operators and ‘rogue operators’, but how do we create the conditions in which world-class destinations can thrive?
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NewsLondon casino boss urges joined-up vision for high streets and night-time economy
Simon Thomas said recent debates often overlooked a fundamental question: what should successful town and city centres actually look like in the future?
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Analysis & InsightCocaine: the white elephant in the bar room?
The class-A stimulant isn’t just normalised in the sector, it is completely embedded, according to one hospitality insider. As cocaine reaches across demographics and settings, MCA explores perspectives, myths and consequences around use of the illicit white powder, and asks whether it’s an escalating problem which needs to be faced up to
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NewsFuture of Pubs Code Adjudicator uncertain as government review nears verdict
Ministers are considering whether the PCA should be retained, reformed or absorbed into another public body, as the regulator pursues a high-profile investigation into Stonegate, The Times reports
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NewsSadiq Khan orders Westminster to rethink licensing policy
In a formal response to council leaders, the Mayor of London argues Westminster risks undermining the capital’s hospitality sector by prioritising the concerns of a small number of residents over the wider benefits of London’s nightlife
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OpinionWestminster’s disdain of wet-led pubs is hostile and wrong
The licensing authority which oversees Soho, Covent Garden and St James believes more sitting down, food and table service will ease over-crowding at its busiest pubs. Be careful what you wish for
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NewsWestminster Council hit with criticism as it looks to stop vertical drinking
London mayor Sadiq Khan and NTIA chair Sacha Lord are among those to come out and condemn Westminster Council for having ‘anti-growth policies’
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NewsWorld Cup delivers 16% spending boost for UK pubs and bars
Data from Dojo also shows that across the tournament spending uplift in hospitality venues was 9% higher on average compared to Euro 2024
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Weekend PressOnly the World Cup is keeping pubs afloat, says Estrella UK chief
Luke White, MD of Damm UK, tells The Telegraph pub margins remain ‘razor thin’ despite prediction of extra 5.5 million pints drunk during England’s quarter final clash with Norway last night
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NewsStarmer planning bank holiday if England win World Cup
A potential public holiday could reportedly be scheduled for week after the final on 19 July if England triumphs in the tournament
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NewsLate-night England game provides 11% boost to UK pubs
Half of UK fans stayed out to watch England’s World Cup match against Mexico with both Marston’s and Stonegate reporting strong sales
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NewsPubs get green light to stay open for early morning England v Mexico match
Despite initially ruling out a blanket extension to opening hours for the 1am game, the government has now confirmed licensing laws will be relaxed, allowing operators to trade until 5am
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NewsAndy Burnham pledges ‘high street renaissance’
In a wide-ranging speech, Burnham argued that revitalised high streets could become “the new symbol of Britain’s renaissance”, driven by reforms to business rates and a broader shift in economic policy.
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NewsLondon Mayor relaunches Summer Streets project
Sadiq Khan has committed £500,000 to support al fresco dining and events in the capital this summer
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Weekend PressEveryone wants to save Soho – but no one can agree on what that actually means
London’s mayor says people who dislike nightlife shouldn’t live in the city’s party district, but the restaurateurs who live and work there think the debate is more complicated than that, The Independent reports
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Weekend PressCan Starmer’s late-night World Cup openings help Britain’s struggling pubs?
While venues could stay open until 2am, rising costs remain a far bigger concern for many landlords, reports The Guardian
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NewsLate-night venues ‘bearing the brunt of hospitality closures’ as segment continues to contract
The latest Night Time Economy Market Monitor shows the space has shrunk by 28.9% in the six years since Covid-19 first hit, equating to nearly three net closures every week
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OpinionPickled passengers shouldn’t be allowed to take flight
Wetherspoons boss Tim Martin argues his airport pubs are are responsible and that drink restrictions are unworkable - but he may need to share some accountability for rising incidences of on-flight drunkenness
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NewsTim Martin: Wetherspoons customers have never caused issues on flights
Martin described Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary’s calls for airport passengers to be subject to a two-drink limit in pubs as a ‘big brother’ approach
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InterviewsWren Pubs facing 'constant licensing battles’
The independent London pub group’s CEO, Jack Greenall, tells MCA that more needs to be done by both the government and local authorities to support expanding businesses like his