Welcome to the April edition of the Westminster Licensees Association newsletter – 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.

More information on these and other topics is available on our new and improved website www.westminsterlicensees.org.

DO YOU EMPLOY FOREIGN WORKERS? YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO MISS OUR NEXT MEMBERS EVENT THURSDAY 8th May 4-6pm, Victoria StreetLast month the Government overhauled the old system of work permits, introducing a new points based system. This has particular implications for chefs and companies which employ large numbers of non-EU workers.

With the hospitality trade in the forefront of new enforcement activity, and mistakes costing up to £10,000 per workers, you cannot afford to miss our latest free business seminar to make sure you are compliant and your staff are legal. You can download an invitation to the event here.

Summer in the city: the recent good weather has finally brought customers out in the West End – but it has also brought out the enforcers. Westminster City Council’s licensing team has already been active in monitoring drinking outside pubs and there is little doubt that this will be the political issue of the summer. We will be lobbying the Council about their policy at both the Westminster Entertainment Forum and in meetings with officials.

If your business has a licensed forecourt or normally has drinkers standing outside in the summer, then you need to take action now to protect your licence. Make sure drinkers are not blocking the road or pavement, take steps to control any late night noise and deal promptly with those causing a nuisance – always log any times you have taken action to deal with problems as evidence of proactivity. If you have residential neighbours, make sure that you have good channels of communication so that they can alert you to problems – they can be a positive source of endorsement if you face a complaint from a member of the public or other resident. Try to gather any evidence of customers enjoying a drink without causing a nuisance or times when the pub does not have customers on the street. Finally, if you do have a complaint made against you, contact the WLA for help and advice.

Noise at Work: earlier this month, the law on noise at work changed, introducing tougher new limits for employees working in the entertainment industry. Essentially, the changes will mean that employers will be required to include noise in any health risk assessments and take steps to minimise workers’ exposure to loud noises over prolonged periods of time. The changes will particularly affect DJs, musicians and staff working in music led bars. For more information, check out our briefing note.

Sexual harassment: following a recent court ruling, the Government has recently tightened the rules relating to sexual harassment in the workplace. Previously, employers have only been obliged to protect a worker from harassment by colleagues, but now they must take steps to stop sexual harassment by customers. For more information, check out our briefing note or contact our employment law advsiers, Clarks Legal

For advice and guidance contact the secretary, Kate Nicholls (kate@nlcommunications.co.uk) 07958 796 238

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