Richard Arnot

Richard advises on all aspects of licensing law including applying for new licences, variations and day-to-day licensing administration and strategy. He also supports clients resisting enforcement proceedings.

• Advised a national supermarket operator in over 350 hearings throughout the country.
• Advising a national hotel operator with over 30 premises on all aspects of licensing law since the business began in 2013.
• Advised a nightclub owner in an appeal in Berwick which resulted in what is believed to be the largest costs order against a police force.

Richard advises clients throughout the investigation process and then, if required, represents before court.

• Represented a national security provider prosecuted for a breach of fire regulations relating to a significantly overcrowded nightclub in York.
• Represented a farming business in Cumbria prosecuted for 16 separate agricultural offences.
• Advised a residential landlord client in relation to several serious breaches of housing licensing legislation in Durham.

Richard advises clients throughout the investigation process and then, if necessary, before court.

• Advising a Germany-based anaerobic digestion plant operator in two separate prosecutions for environmental breaches.
• Represented the manager of a store operated by a national supermarket chain, at their invitation, in an investigation relating to a fatal accident at the premises.
• Advised one of the largest clay pigeon shooting grounds in the UK in relation to noise complaints and a subsequent local authority investigation.

Richard advises on all aspects of regulation, compliance, and enforcement, to include representing clients before court.

• Advising various sporting and farming clients in relation to firearms licensing.
• Supporting commercial fishermen in Northumberland over many years in relation to investigations and prosecutions by the local Inshore Fisheries Conservation Agency.
• Represented a commercial fishing partnership in respect of an investigation by the Marine Management Organisation.

Richard advises pub companies, nightclub operators, hoteliers, and restaurateurs. He has previously acted for clients including TGI Fridays, Hotel du Vin, Malmaison, and Inn Collection Group throughout the country.

• Applied for and secured a Premises Licence for a new 254-bedroomed hotel in the City of London for a developer client.
• Advised a US-based client in respect of the licensing arrangements for their hotel in Northumberland further to significant unauthorised alterations to the premises.
• Represented a regional brewer and pubco. on multiple matters including acquisitions.
• Advising an ever-expanding competitive socialising sector client including applying for and obtaining over 20 new premises licences for them.
• Advised and represented in court a police force opposing the grant of a licence to a new Premiership Football stadium days before the inaugural match.

Richard has over 30 years of experience representing leading brands across the UK. He acts for supermarkets and convenience stores and has been the sole licensing lawyer to Co-operative Group Food for over 15 years.

• Having obtained a Premises Licence in Cambridge’s Cumulative Impact Area for a national supermarket chain, successfully resisted an appeal lodged by a local councillor.
• Advised a frozen-food supermarket business in relation to a knife failed test purchase investigation.
• Advised a delivery driver employed by a supermarket business prosecuted for causing death by dangerous driving.
• Prosecuting multiple shopkeepers for underage alcohol sales on behalf of Northumbria Police.
• Led a team that made over 10,000 individual licensing applications for a supermarket chain in a 2-year period.

Recognised by The Legal 500 for Licensing: Leading Individual 2025

Recognised by The Legal 500: Hall of Fame for Licensing 2025

Ranked in Chambers UK for Licensing 2024

Member of the Institute of Licensing