5 ways your pub could lose its premises license
Life has been difficult enough for pubs over the course of the pandemic. With months of forced closures and tight restrictions to contend with, business confidence has been low compared to other sectors. The last thing any pub landlord needs right now is to lose their licence and become unable to sell alcohol, a primary revenue generator.
Any business in England and Wales that plans to serve alcoholic drinks is legally required under The Licensing Act 2003 to secure a licence from its licensing authority. There are certain standards that businesses must then meet to retain their licence and prevent crime, disorder and public nuisance, and protect public safety and children.
If a pub fails to follow these regulations, it can have its licence amended with restrictions, such as limited opening hours, or revoked entirely. The consequences of the latter don’t bear thinking about, so landlords need to be aware of the requirements and what to avoid. Insurance for a pub can help cover losses in case of licence issues – but it’s still a hassle best avoided.
Read up on five ways your pub could lose its premises licence below.
- Disorderly conduct
Does your pub see a lot of rowdy or illegal behaviour? If your venue is seen to host more than its fair share without taking clear action to prevent or alleviate such activity, you could lose your licence in the name of public safety.
Calling the police is the best option if you’re ever worried about putting your staff or customers at risk.
- Serving underage people
Some customers take offence at being asked for ID while others take it as a compliment. Either way, failing to check IDs or knowingly serving underage people is a common reason pubs lose their licences.
If you’re ever unsure of the validity of an ID, ask a few questions until you’re completely sure of their age.
- Selling outside of authorised hours
Most alcohol licences are limited to specific times, which is why last orders exist. Licensed times can vary between venues and areas, however, so check the fine print and avoid offering any leeway – no matter how much your customers might plead.
- Over serving
Continuing to serve alcohol to someone who is heavily intoxicated is another serious no-no. The consequences of overindulging range from mild embarrassment to personal injury and public disorder, so it’s essential to refuse alcohol to those who have clearly had enough.
Tell-tale signs include slurred speech, loss of coordination and confusion.
- Drinking in unlicensed areas
You might not realise it, but a premises licence rarely extends to every inch of your premises. Drinking in areas like toilets, stairs and patios can be technically prohibited, so it’s important to keep an eye on where guests wander with a drink in hand.
Is your pub guilty of breaking any of these rules from time to time? Keep a keen eye out to retain your licence and stay in business.
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