Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 allows the Secretary of State to issue statutory guidance to licensing authorities. In simple terms, it is official guidance that councils must consider when carrying out their licensing functions. It does not replace the Licensing Act 2003, but it helps explain how the Act should be applied in practice.

The Government has confirmed a relaxation of licensing hours for England and Wales for certain 2026 World Cup matches involving qualifying home nations during the knockout stages. However, this is not a blanket permission for all licensed premises to trade late throughout the whole tournament.

A fine can hurt, but a premises licence review can be even more damaging. If the police, council or another responsible authority believes the premises is undermining the licensing objectives, they may call for a review.

The Licensing Act 2003 has not changed in any fundamental way, yet the way licensing authorities, responsible authorities, and the courts expect compliance to be demonstrated has evolved significantly. For licensing professionals, this shift is critical. Increasingly, it is not enough for premises to say they are compliant. They must be able to evidence it clearly, consistently, and in real time.

Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) Explained. If your business sells alcohol, you’re legally required to have a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) named on your premises licence. But what exactly does that mean — and why is it so important? In this post, we’ll explain the role of the DPS, their legal responsibilities, and how Licensing Professionals can help you stay compliant. We’ve also included a short video to make it even easier to understand.

Cumulative Impact Zones (CIZs) are one of the most important — and often misunderstood — aspects of licensing law for pubs, bars, restaurants, takeaways, and late-night venues. If your premises is located within a CIZ, the way your application is assessed will be fundamentally different.