Law firm Langleys of York has launched a dedicated licensing group.

The new group, comprising both licensing and regulatory lawyers, will provide clients in the licensing trade with advice, assistance and representation regarding all their liquor licensing requirements.

This includes applying for new licences, varying existing licenses, advising clients when their premises are subject to review, as well as providing compliance advice to ensure good practice and management.

The services are aimed at all types of businesses with licensed establishments including hotels, restaurants, cafés, bars and clubs, in York and the surrounding areas.

Sarah Valentine, who will be heading up the team at Langleys, said: “We recognise that in York and the surrounding areas there are a large number of businesses, hotels, restaurants, bars, cafés and clubs which were requesting advice on the whole range of licensing issues.

“In view of the number of inquiries we were receiving we decided to set up a specialised Licensing Group to provide a dedicated service to our clients.”

Jeremy Scott, the partner who heads up the regulatory and corporate defence unit at Langleys, said: “It’s fantastic that Langleys is able to offer businesses in York and the surrounding areas a dedicated licensing practice.

“This area of the law is often confusing and unclear. The specialist lawyers in the group will be on hand to provide pragmatic, commercial advice to clients to assist them in achieving the best possible result.”

The licensing unit will also provide advice and represent licensees and businesses in respect of any matter relating to trading standards, weights and measures, underage sales, planning enforcement and regulatory crime.