Luke Elford

Luke advises applicants for premises licences up and down the country.

• Obtained a new premises licence for a UK restaurant group in Soho.
• Advised a pub company on an application for a new premises licence.
• Acted for a high-profile restauranteur in respect of a new premises in Covent Garden.

Luke assists clients who wish to make changes to their existing licences.

• Secured a variation to a premises licence to permit external drinking and later hours for a pub in Shoreditch.
• Advised on an application to update the licensing plans for a pub in Chiswick.
• Granted a variation to extend the hours of use of a private members’ club’s external courtyard.

Luke acts on behalf of operators whose licences are being reviewed by Responsible Authorities or Other Persons.

• Acted for a nightclub group in response to a threatened summary review application.
• Represented a convenience store operator whose licence was reviewed for breaches of condition.
• Defeated a summary review application following a serious incident for a nightclub client.

Luke is instructed by parties wishing to appeal against the decision of a Licensing Authority as well as by Licensing Authorities wishing to defend their decisions.

• Appealed a decision to impose conditions on a premises licence.
• Acted for a nightclub operator in relation to an appeal against a decision to close a premises.
• Negotiated settlement of an appeal on behalf of a Licensing Authority in a matter concerning a supermarket chain.

Luke advises clients on the operation of the Licensing Act 2003 and the terms of their permissions.

• Acted as Legal Adviser to a Licensing Authority Licensing Sub-Committee.
• Provided advice on the enforceability of conditions on a premises licence.
• Advised a Licensing Authority on the relevance of representations made in relation to an application.

Luke is often called upon to make pavement licence applications in connection with licensed venues.

• Secured a pavement licence for a boxing gym with café element.
• Assisted a client with multiple pavement licence applications outside an existing restaurant.
• Obtained a premises licence outside a well-known restaurant when opposed by TfL.

Luke is a specialist licensing solicitor who advises on alcohol and entertainment licensing, including premises licences, reviews and enforcement, sexual entertainment venues, sub-committee hearings, as well as licensing training for venues including restaurants, clubs, bars, hotels, and individual operators.

• Obtained a new 3am premises licence in Westminster City Council’s West End Cumulative Impact Area
• Advise private members’ clubs and workspaces on licensing requirements such as Mortimer House, One Warwick, Loom, and The Ministry.
• Retained by the iconic Ministry of Sound on all licensing matters.
• Secured multiple new premises licences across London for a high-profile restaurant group.
• Helped Bloomberg secure 27 provision statements for their London headquarters.
• Ensured that a sexual entertainment venue operator was able to successfully challenge a summary review of its premises licence.
• Defended a nightclub operator following a review of its premises licence arising out of a serious criminal allegation.
• Granted licences for various hotel developments around London and the UK.

Recognised by Chambers UK as Up and Coming: Licensing 2025 – 2026

Recognised by The Legal 500 as a Next Generation Partner for Licensing 2025

Member of the Institute of Licensing (IoL)

Member of the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII)

Member of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA)

Appointed NTIA Ambassador for London