Hotels, licensed premises and leisure
We have been recommended for our work in the hotel sector in the 2010 and 2009 editions of the Legal 500.
Our lawyers provide commercial advice to the hotel industry, advising a broad spectrum of clients from hoteliers operating under luxury brands to those operating in the budget market.
We have a thorough understanding of the issues and concerns that face the hotel industry and we liaise closely with other professionals who also work with the industry.
As well as advising hotel owners and operators, we regularly advise financiers, developers, contractors, professionals and suppliers who work within the hotel industry.
We have one of the leading licensing teams in London with a competitive edge over other licensing teams in that we work directly alongside other team within the firm who may have already been instructed on other aspects of a transaction.
The licensing group has five solicitors with 35 years' experience dealing with licensing matters. Our activities are local, national and international with a client base ranging from wholesalers to small companies and individual licensees.
We cover all licensing matters relating to liquor, public entertainment, betting and gaming. We can also help when licensees are accused of criminal acts which are ancillary to licensing matters, such as breaches under the Trade Descriptions Act, the Health and Safety Act and other regulations.
We can provide an administrative service, allowing clients to concentrate on their business without the continuous worry of having to deal with renewals, transfers, protection orders and court session dates. We ensure that every licence is accurately maintained, providing invaluable support for managers and licensees.
Contacts
Hotels and leisure - Dinesh Raja, Managing Partner
Public houses - Huseyin Huseyin, Partner
Licensing - Peter Holland, Partner
Recent articles
> Proposal to scrap events licences
> Company insolvencies to rise, say PwC
> Launch of new accommodation service for London 2012
> HMRC to probe restaurant and pub takings
> Budget 2011: Implications for employers and employees
> Occupiers liability for clubs, hotels and other venues open to the public
Case studies
Hotel Indigo
Bowling & Co were on hand when Koolesh Shah of London Town Hotels concluded a deal to buy a range of buildings in Paddington. Dinesh Raja, Managing Partner of Bowling & Co meet with Koolesh and conducted immediate due diligence on the deal which went ahead in record time.
"I still find Koolesh's vision incredible." Dinesh said. "I suspect that from the day we met to conclude the deal with the former owner to the day that the hotel opened, Koolesh had everything planned in his mind." Koolesh's plan was to refurbish the nine Georgian buildings from top to bottom and to relaunch the hotel as a boutique offering. InterContinental Hotels Group said that they needed a location for the launch of the Hotel Indigo brand in Europe. IHG launched the brand in 2004 and it is aimed at the business traveller. The 64-bedroom Hotel Indigo London-Paddington was to be the first hotel in the UK to carry the Hotel Indigo brand.
"I was very proud to have undertaken the legal work on this project from the beginning to the end" said Dinesh Raja "and knowing the effort put into the project by Koolesh's team it was particularly satisfying to enjoy a glass of champagne with Koolesh at the launch of the hotel."
