John Gaunt and Partners Licensing Solicitors

13/10/2026

Increase in Closure Notices Powers
Changes to the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 arising from the Crime and Policing Act 2026 will take effect on 26th October 2026 increasing powers relating to Closure Notices. https://www.john-gaunt.co.uk/news/increase-of-closure-notices-powers

12/10/2026

SIA outlines next steps on Martyn’s Law implementation in September newsletter by

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has issued a further update on preparations for Martyn’s Law, outlining new guidance, compliance resources and support tools ahead of the legislation's expected implementation in spring 2027.

12/10/2026

Increase of Closure Notices Powers by

Changes to the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 arising from the Crime and Policing Act 2026 will take effect on  26th October 2026 increasing powers relating to Closure Notices.

09/10/2026

Newcastle upon Tyne - Scraps Late Night Levy by

Hospitality businesses in Newcastle are set to benefit from a significant financial boost after Newcastle City Council voted this week to abolish the city’s Late Night Levy, ending a scheme that collected more than £215,000 annually from venues trading after midnight. Following the agreement of f...

08/10/2026

Getting your UK Café Licenced
Researching which Licences a Café needs can be difficult work, and with such a range of activities available to cafés, it can be even more difficult understanding the costs involved. At JG&P, business licences are our speciality. Here we explain where to start with your new Café or Coffee Shop, and which licences to look into first. https://www.john-gaunt.co.uk/licensing-your-cafe

06/10/2026

Whether you’re running a pub, club, restaurant, supermarket, hotel, betting shop, adult gaming centre or off licence, we can help you get the specialist licences or qualifications you need. We can also help you to appeal licensing decisions and fight enforcement action on your behalf. https://www.john-gaunt.co.uk/

02/10/2026

The latest Legal 500 rankings have just been published, and JG&P has retained its top ranking in London https://bit.ly/4jzFvtjwith Chris Grunert joining Michelle Hazlewood as a ‘Leading Partner’. JG&P has also retained its top rank in the South East https://bit.ly/4iUiLUI with Jon Wallsgrove retaining his ‘Hall of Fame’ ranking and Karen Lush also ranked as a ‘Leading Partner’. https://www.john-gaunt.co.uk/

01/10/2026

Licensing for Competitive Socialising Venues
Competitive socialising encompasses a range of activities which you will need to take into account as you collect licences for a new business or make changes to existing licences. Because of the scope of competitive socialising businesses and how they can be combined with other premises types too, there may be licensing requirements involved that you’re unaware of. https://www.john-gaunt.co.uk/licensing-for-competitive-socialising-venues

29/09/2026

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has introduced new training requirements for security professionals applying for or renewing licences. Refresher training is now mandatory for door supervisors and security guards when renewing their licences (from 1 April 2025) and for close protection operatives from 1 April 2026. https://www.john-gaunt.co.uk/news/sia-introduces-mandatory-refresher-training-and-updated-licence-requirements

25/09/2026

The To***co and Vapes Act 2026 (Age Verification Defence to Underage Sales) (England and Wales) Regulations 2026 have now been laid before Parliament with a view to them coming into force on 1st January 2027. For more information: https://bit.ly/4ABwlTu