Welcome to the latest newsletter from the Westminster Licensees Association – providing a round up of the latest news, the top issues affecting trade in Westminster and the vital information you need to run your business effectively. We continue to be active on your behalf and once again have a number of lobbying successes to report.

Licensing: Pressure from WLA and Westminster City Council has resulted in the Government conceding that it was unrealistic to expect the trade to cope with licensing reform over the busy Christmas trading period. The start of the transition to the new licensing regime will be 7th February 2005. After this date, operators will have 6 months to convert their existing licences to new personal and premises ones.

What will the new regime mean for licensees in Westminster? What are the pitfalls and potential difficulties ahead? How much will it cost and how do you apply? What are the key stages in the transition to the new regime? What are the actions you should be taking now? Find out by attending one of our licensing workshops being held. Spaces are strictly limited so book now

Campaigning: the Government is planning to introduce tough new rules to restrict the number of working visas issued to those coming to work in the hospitality industry and in particular Commonwealth citizens. This will have a particularly dramatic effect on businesses within Westminster which typically employ such staff on a casual or temporary basis. We are currently gathering information on the potential scale of the problem to try to force a Government re-think. If you employ foreign workers, fill in our questionnaire here

Advising Members: we are committed to ensuring that we provide the best possible advice and guidance to members on issues affecting the trade in Westminster. Make sure you check out our website for the most up-to-date analysis and information on the following new policy developments:

- Section 77: a number of members have recently been asked to complete questionnaires by the Council about their style of operation and the range of food and entertainment provided. The aim of the exercise is to determine compliance with Section 77 and this is increasingly being used to object to PEL renewals. Section 77 are not part of PELs and the two should not be linked in this way. A copy of the questionnaire is available here. Members will wish to seek their own legal advice in respect of responses, but would be advised to marshall the information and prepare defensively. They should also brief staff on their right to refuse access or to answer questions if the licensee is not on the premises. Above all, be aware of the use to which this information is being put – your licence may be under threat.

- Business Improvement Districts: members with outlets in Piccadilly or Leicester Square may well have received information about a proposed Business Improvement District for the area. The BID will need to be approved by a majority of all ratepayers in the area, but if the vote is positive it will see an automatic and compulsory 1% levy on all business rates to fund improved litter and street cleaning as well as the City Guardian force. The WLA supports the principle of business contribution to civic improvements, but is opposed to it being compulsory. We are further concerned that the services being offered through the BID are substitutes for public services and should be funded out of the existing business rates. We will make these points but only businesses can vote on the proposals and we urge members to use their vote in November.

- Disabled Access: Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act takes effect on 1 October 2004. With the trade in the firing line for complaints and possible court cases, many consultancies have sprung up – some of them bogus – advising retailers to make major investments to comply. Our partners, the law firm Radcliffe’s are hosting a seminar for members to provide expert advice and guidance. The event will be held on 7th September from 4.30-6.30pm and members wishing to attend should contact Sejal Raja on 020 7227 7410

Kate Nicholls
23 Beaconsfield Road
London W5 5JE
tel 07958 796 238