Birketts LLP handles the full range of licensing and regulatory matters for a highly diverse roster of clients, among them breweries, hotel chains, night clubs, racecourses, events operators, bingo hall chains, takeaway outlets, churches, wedding venues, and concert promoters. Barrister and head of licensing Julie Gowland in Norwich and fellow barrister Matthew Gowen in Ipswich are the main practitioners. Their work encompasses licence applications and contested matters, and the firm is able to draw on other niche areas of expertise to advise on planning issues tied in with licensing, and a range of other issues.
Licensing in East Anglia
Birketts LLP
Practice head(s):
Julie Gowland; Matthew Gowen
Key clients
South Norfolk District Council
Brentwood Borough Council
Uttlesford District Council
Basildon District Council
Kings Lynn Borough Council
East Cambridgeshire District Council
Middletons SHG Limited t/a Middletons Steakhouse
SSGR Limited
Ipswich Town Football Club
Work highlights
Mills & Reeve LLP
The Norwich office of Mills & Reeve LLP is home to a specialist licensing practice, run by senior associate Catherine Noble, who also handles contentious insolvency matters. Her work encompasses the whole range of alcohol, entertainment, late night refreshment, and gaming licensing, as well as advice on marriage and pavement licenses. She frequently works with the firm's corporate and real estate teams to advise on the licensing aspects of major transactions. Her broad practice features work on large-scale music festivals and events, as well as advice to higher education establishments. She assisted The University of Westminster with varying its licence for the campus to include a large outdoor area.
Practice head(s):
Catherine Noble
Key clients
The University of Westminster
Timewell Properties
Work highlights
Howes Percival LLP
Howes Percival LLP's planning team advises a diverse range of clients on licensing matters. It acts for London-based residents’ groups, registered charities, owner-managed bars and restaurants, and others on applications for new premises licences or variations to existing premises licences. The work of partner Jamie Childs in Norwich also includes advocacy work at licensing authority sub-committee meetings where objections have been made to premises licence applications. He also assists the firm’s corporate and real estate teams with matters involving the sale or acquisition of licensed premises.
Practice head(s):
Jamie Childs
Work highlights
- Continued to advise clients on a range of licensing matters, including supporting the firm’s property team by advising on a number of premises licence transfers, variation of designated premises supervisors and advice in connection with securing personal licences.