Scottish Government Consultation on Permitted Development Rights
The Scottish Government have launched a consultation on permitted development rights in relation to planning law. Amongst other things they are seeking views on permitted development rights for pavement seating adjacent to hospitality premises. Pre-pandemic, licensed premises generally required planning permission for outdoor seating, especially on the pavement areas although the approach did vary […]
Tighter Rules for Pet Trade
April’s #NationalPetMonth celebrates our much loved companions and raises awareness of responsible ownership across the UK. Many of us at MSHB have a furry friend at home (sometimes they even pop into the office!) so this is a cause close to our hearts. New regulations around various activities involving animals – including adoption, rescue […]
Queen’s Jubilee: General Extension to Licensed Hours
On Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd of June the UK will enjoy a four-day bank holiday weekend to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Being the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, major national celebrations are likely to be held across the country over the four-day holiday period. For licensed premises looking to […]
Tipping Legislation
Update as at 10th May 2022 – The proposed legislation discussed in the following article (originally published in March 2022) has now been scrapped following its omission from the 2022 Queen’s Speech. Over the past two years, the UK Government has introduced various measures to protect workers’ rights. These include the introduction of parental […]
Landlord and Tenants: How can you protect your Premises Licence?
What is a Premises Licence? The Premises Licence itself authorises a premises to sell alcohol. It includes an Operating Plan, which sets out how alcohol can be sold on the premises and the other activities which can be carried out on the premises. A Plan is also included, and this illustrates the current layout […]
Insolvency and Licensing
The business impact of the pandemic has been felt across all sectors, but none more so than hospitality. Unfortunately over the last few months, particularly with the end of the furlough scheme, we have seen a number of operators fall into serious financial difficulty. If you operate licensed premises and are facing insolvency it […]
Extended licensing hours during COP26 a welcome boost for the hospitality trade
As 30,000 delegates descend on Glasgow our hospitality sector clients are hopefully in for a much needed boost in trade after an incredibly challenging period. In recognition of the event and in support of the trade the Glasgow Licensing Board, have granted a general extension to licensed hours which permits all premises selling alcohol […]
New “protection of workers” law in force: who are the “workers”?
“New legislation protects Scottish shop staff from customer abuse.” That headline on the BBC’s website is typical of the skewed media slant on the Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Act 2021 which came into force on 24 August. The new measures were brought forward as a private members’ Bill by […]
Vaccine passports are coming
Later this month, subject to Parliamentary approval, vaccine certification will be required for admission to: Announcing the move, Nicola Sturgeon didn’t rule out the extension of certification to the hospitality sector as a whole: the position would be kept under review over the autumn and winter months. The certification requirement is designed to reduce the […]
Outdoor drinking is here to stay!
Most of Scotland is now in Level 1 or 2, meaning that up to 8 (Level 2) or 12 (Level 1) people from separate households can meet outdoors at hospitality venues. With this in mind, and summer in full swing, outdoor drinking areas are more important to licensed premises than ever before. While many […]