Based in Manchester, Kuit Steinart Levy LLP‘s licensing department is reputed for its depth of expertise in the leisure and hospitality sectors, acting for several casual dining brands, sports clubs, landlords and property developers, hotels, festivals and event spaces. The team is described as ‘the most effective licensing firm serving the North West’, with ‘very strong lawyers at all levels who provide an attentive and highly responsive service to their clients’. Head of the licensing team Felicity Tulloch has notable experience in the leisure sector and specific expertise in licensing large festivals and event spaces. The ‘outstanding’ Rebecca Lowe excels in new premise licenses in areas of cumulative impact, while Claire Morris regularly acts in a range of complex alcohol and entertainment license matters.

Specialising in firearms licensing issues and recommended as ‘most experienced firearms licensing team in the UK’ with ‘a huge reputation in this field’, Brabners LLP assists a variety of significant clients ranging from shooting clubs and firearms-related businesses to individual certificate holders in a broad array of issues, including firearm and shotgun appeals. Department leader Lachlan Nisbett ‘runs the show as far as firearms licensing is concerned’ and advises on licence appeals, criminal prosecutions and regulatory cases. Senior associate Charlotte McRae is adept at handling firearms licensing appeals as well as criminal matters.

Based in Manchester, DAC Beachcroft LLP‘s licensing department assists a range of clients across a variety of industries, including the real estate, retail, hospitality, sport, health, and public sectors. The group provides advice in respect of all licensable activities under the Licensing Act and the Gambling Act, and assists with marriage licences and other specialist licensing issues. Jan Levinson, who specialises in commercial dispute resolution, has vast experience in licensing matters, acting for retail and hospitality companies, as well as developers and investor clients; he spearheads the licensing team.

Demonstrating expertise in all aspects of alcohol and entertainment licensing, Harrison Drury & Co‘s licensing team acts for a diverse client base, including independent bars, regional breweries, as well as nationwide estates and pub companies. The team provides licensing advice on change overs, investments, new licenses and variations of licenses, and enforcement issues. The ‘exceptional’ Malcolm Ireland, who specialises in the leisure sector and has vast experience in dealing with a broad range of issues revolving around the sale of alcohol and regulated entertainment, leads the practice. Samantha Faud specialises in licensing work in the leisure sector and issues relating to licensed properties.

Based in Blackburn, Napthens LLP’s licensing department handles licensing work for clients across the leisure industries, ranging from single-site operators through to some of the largest brewers and pub companies in the North. The department is jointly led by Gill Sherratt and highly-experienced legal executive Suzanne Marchese. Sherratt’s practice covers all types of licensing applications with notable expertise in the leisure sector, while Marchese is the firm’s licensing executive and is frequently involved in issuing new licenses.