Poppleston Allen

Alcohol licensing.

Partner

Jonathan has been a licensing solicitor at Poppleston Allen since 1997. After being made partner in 2002 he succeeded founder Jeremy Allen as managing partner in 2006; splitting his time between developing the firm and advising clients.

In April 2018 Jonathan handed over the managing partner reigns to Lisa Sharkey, allowing him to concentrate fully on helping licensed operators solve their alcohol licensing problems.

Jonathan's advice includes obtaining new premises licences and license variations. He is also involved in licensing reviews, of which he is a veteran of over 150. He has been involved in every Early Morning Restriction Order (EMRO) appearing as advocate for the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers. This included what were widely regarded as the ‘death knells’ for EMROs, the successful challenges involving the London Borough of Lambeth and Blackpool Council, both after five day hearings.

To ensure he fully understands the pressures that people working in the leisure sector face, he holds five licensing qualifications covering England, Wales and Scotland.

He regularly speaks at conferences and seminars. Jonathan sits on the Institute of Licensing’s operational and development committee and has sat on various Home Office and Department of Culture, Media and Sport advisory groups. By request he was called to give evidence part of a The House of Lords Select Committee in a review of the Licensing Act 2003.

Some of Jonathan’s key clients include: Deltic Group, Smashburger, Parkdean Resorts, Bourne Leisure and LT Pub Management.

“Very articulate and can put forward a compelling case”

Trained Hunt Dickins (now Freeths); qualified 1992; partner Poppleston Allen 2004.

Member of the Institute of Licensing BBPA Midlands Executive Committee Member

Newcastle-Under-Lyme Grammar School; Sheffield University (LLB); College of Law, Chester.

Golf, football, cricket.