Poppleston Allen

Alcohol licensing.

Partner

James joined Poppleston Allen as a solicitor in September 2003 and was made a partner in April 2006. He has over 20 years of experience in licensing law, acting for a wide range of clients. These range from individual one-off premises and small chains through to major national pub and restaurant chains.

He was successful in a landmark case for a London bar in Westminster’s West End stress area, which was granted extended trading hours by Westminster City Council. It was one of the first bars/pubs in the area to be granted an extension outside of its core hours. It was then granted further extended hours in an appeal against the council. This was one of only a handful of successful appeals against Westminster in the stress area. He runs training sessions for local authority councillors and officers on licensing and gambling issues and speaks at a variety of licensing functions across the country.

He has clients from a range of licensed sectors but specialises in advising major pub and restaurant chains including: Giraffe World Kitchen, Ed’s Easy Diner, Harry Ramsden, Gordon Ramsay, Jamie's Italian, Fuller, Smith & Turner PLC, Young & Co and Brakspear Pub Company.

“James knows exactly what he is doing, he has a deep understanding of the problems and issues businesses face day-to-day.”

Qualified 1991; Andersons Solicitors 1991-93; Bramleys Solicitors 1993-96; Nelsons Solicitors 1996-2003; Poppleston Allen 2003 to date; partner 2006 to date.

Chairman of PICA Service (Pubs Independent Conciliation Arbitration Service)

Nottingham High School; Sheffield University (LLB Hons); College of Law, Guildford.

Hockey, cricket, reading, cinema, food and drink.