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Setting up a business involves complying with a range of legal requirements. Find out which ones apply to you and your new enterprise.

What particular regulations do specific types of business (such as a hotel, or a printer, or a taxi firm) need to follow? We explain some of the key legal issues to consider for 200 types of business.

While poor governance can bring serious legal consequences, the law can also protect business owners and managers and help to prevent conflict.

Whether you want to raise finance, join forces with someone else, buy or sell a business, it pays to be aware of the legal implications.

From pay, hours and time off to discipline, grievance and hiring and firing employees, find out about your legal responsibilities as an employer.

Marketing matters. Marketing drives sales for businesses of all sizes by ensuring that customers think of their brand when they want to buy.

Commercial disputes can prove time-consuming, stressful and expensive, but having robust legal agreements can help to prevent them from occurring.

Whether your business owns or rents premises, your legal liabilities can be substantial. Commercial property law is complex, but you can avoid common pitfalls.

With information and sound advice, living up to your legal responsibilities to safeguard your employees, customers and visitors need not be difficult or costly.

As information technology continues to evolve, legislation must also change. It affects everything from data protection and online selling to internet policies for employees.

Intellectual property (IP) isn't solely relevant to larger businesses or those involved in developing innovative new products: all products have IP.

Knowing how and when you plan to sell or relinquish control of your business can help you to make better decisions and achieve the best possible outcome.

From bereavement, wills, inheritance, separation and divorce to selling a house, personal injury and traffic offences, learn more about your personal legal rights.

Pavement licence scheme to be made permanent

19 May 2022

Cafes, restaurants, pubs and other hospitality businesses will benefit from plans announced in the Queen's Speech to make the temporary COVID-related pavement licence scheme permanent.

The relaxations originally came in when the Business and Planning Bill 2020 was introduced to streamline the process by which businesses could apply for a street furniture licence (aka pavement licence). The intention was to mitigate against the impact of social distancing requirements on hospitality businesses, to provide much needed income and protect jobs.

The relaxations included a fast-track application process (with a reduced public consultation period) and low fees, with licences running for up to a year.

Since the scheme was introduced, a wide range of businesses have benefitted from the relaxations from public houses to cafes, bars and restaurants, snack bars, coffee shops, and ice cream parlours. A licence covers outdoor use of tables, chairs and other seating, counters for food or drink, umbrellas, heaters, and barriers.

The current arrangements were due to expire on 30 September 2022. However, the scheme will now become a permanent arrangement, but with some changes. Local authorities will be able to grant longer, two-year licences, but charges for licence renewals will rise from £100 to £350. Applicants for a new licence will have to pay £500.

Businesses can act now to benefit from the lower fees currently in place. Businesses with a pavement licence or table and chair licence that is due to expire before 30 September should consider renewing (or converting it) now to benefit from lower fees. Businesses without a pavement or tables and chairs licence should consider whether to apply for one now before the increased charges come in.

Written by Fiona Prior.

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