Name

Poppleston Allen

Legal name

Poppleston Allen

Website

https://popall.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Legal Services - Licensing Law

NAICS

Offices of Lawyers (54111)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

Legal Practice Management & Case Management (BPAEAPAC)

Keywords

• Licensing law services
• Premises licence applications
• Alcohol licensing advice
• Gambling licensing compliance
• Hospitality legal services

Headquarters

HQ city

Nottingham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Legal Advisory Services: Providing expert legal advice and representation for licensing matters including premises licences, personal licences, gambling licences, and regulatory compliance. Revenue generated through consultation fees, application fees, and ongoing legal retainer services.
2. Training Courses: Nationally accredited courses including APLH, ALPA, and gambling qualifications. Revenue from course fees and examination charges.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Poppleston Allen is the UK's largest specialist licensing solicitors firm, providing legal advice and representation for obtaining, varying, and defending premises licences, personal alcohol licences, gambling licences, and related regulatory compliance matters. The firm also delivers nationally accredited training courses (APLH, ALPA) through its in-house training division and operates client-facing licence management tools (CizApp, Licence999, Licence2View).

Product overview

Poppleston Allen is the UK's largest firm of specialist licensing solicitors, providing legal advisory services rather than a technology product. Their service offering consists of core legal licensing services including premises licences, personal alcohol licences, gambling licences, and sector-specific licensing support across hospitality, retail, gambling, and accommodation sectors. They supplement their legal services with client-facing tools (Licence999, Licence2View, CizApp) for licence management and compliance, as well as Poppleston Allen Training offering accredited qualifications (APLH, ALPA) and mock exam resources. The firm operates from Nottingham and London offices, serving clients from small independents to national multi-site operators.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Licence999: Online resource for licensing information and guidance
• Licence2View
• Poppleston Allen Training
• The Poppleston Allen Podcast

Products and services

• Premises Licences Legal advice and assistance for obtaining, varying, and defending premises licences for businesses selling alcohol, providing entertainment, or offering late-night refreshment. Targeted at licensed trade operators across England and Wales.
• Personal Alcohol Licences Qualification and advisory services for individuals seeking to obtain a personal licence to authorise the sale of alcohol in licensed premises, including BIIAB Level 2 APLH exam preparation.
• Gambling Licences Comprehensive legal services for gambling operators including operating licences, premises licences, personal management licences, and personal function licences under the Gambling Act 2005. Serves casinos, betting shops, bingo halls, arcades, and online gambling operators.
• Alcohol Licensing General alcohol licensing legal advice covering premises licences, temporary event notices, pavement licences, and compliance with the Licensing Act 2003.
• Pavement Licences Legal assistance for obtaining permits to place tables and chairs on public highways for outdoor dining and alfresco experiences.
• Wedding Venue Licences Legal services for obtaining licences to host civil marriages and civil partnerships at venues including hotels, stately homes, and licensed premises.
• Sexual Entertainment Venue Licences Legal advice and application services for obtaining licences to provide entertainment involving nudity such as table dancing and lap dancing.
• Reviews of Premises Licences
• Food, Safety & Hygiene
• Martyn's Law Compliance Advisory services on the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, including tier assessments, public protection procedures, and compliance measures for affected venues with 200+ capacity.
• Tobacco and Vapes Act Compliance Legal guidance on the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, including new licensing requirements for retailers selling tobacco, vapes, and nicotine products.
• Late Night Licensing for World Cup 2026 Specialised legal services for hospitality operators seeking extended licensing hours to screen World Cup 2026 matches, including Temporary Event Notices (TENs).
• Licensing Support for Mergers & Acquisitions Due diligence services for licensing compliance during acquisitions, mergers, and investments in the hospitality sector, including CVAs and insolvency matters.
• Poppleston Allen Training Nationally accredited training courses including BIIAB Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH), Award for Licensing Practitioners (ALPA), and gambling legislation courses. Course fee is £150 + VAT per candidate for the APLH course.

Quantifiable outcome

• Successfully manage over 10,000 applications per year
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers24 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Institute of Licensing (IoL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional body representing those working in licensing. Partner Jonathan Smith writes regular column in IoL newsletter. Several solicitors sit on regional committees of the Institute.
• British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChampions issues affecting beer and pub industry representing 90% of beer brewed in Britain and around 20,000 pubs. Excellent relationship with ongoing engagement.
• British Institute of Innkeeping (BII)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational network of over 8,000 members in licensed trade. Poppleston Allen are BIIAS approved professional. Speak at annual Tied Trade Forum.
• Bingo AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrade association for bingo industry. Partner Nick Arron and gambling team are retained by the Bingo Association providing advice on policy, procedure and regulatory requirements.
• BACTAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrade body representing amusements and high street gaming manufacturers and operators. Gambling team has provided legal advice to BACTA.
• UKHospitalitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSingle authoritative voice representing broad hospitality sector. Alcohol licensing and regulatory teams have advised on legal matters including Late Night Levy objections and PPL music licence fees challenge.
• Night Time Industries Association (NTIA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrade association promoting the night time industry in UK and internationally.
• Pub is The HubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNot for profit organisation advising communities and licensees on broadening pub services.
• PASS (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK wide scheme providing valid proof of age identification. Partner Jonathan Smith is board member.
• Restaurant R200minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClub of top multi-site restaurant groups from UK, hosting events for owners and operators.
• The Morning AdvertiserminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK's leading provider of news and business information to pub sector.
• Leisure Property ForumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetworking organisation focusing on leisure industry. Several solicitors are members.
• Best Bar NoneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational accreditation scheme supported by Home Office and drinks industry promoting responsible management of licensed premises.
• Gambling CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational regulator of gambling in Great Britain created under Gambling Act 2005. Provide advice and guidance on gambling-related issues.
• MCA (MCA Insight)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness information provider serving eating and drinking out market through news coverage, analysis, market data and trends.
• National PubwatchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting the pub trade with best practice and safety initiatives.
• BIIAB Awarding BodycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAwarding body for APLH and other licensing qualifications. Poppleston Allen Training offers nationally accredited courses.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Freeths LLP: UK national law firm with a licensing and regulatory team serving hospitality, leisure and gambling clients. Overlaps with Poppleston Allen in premises licensing and reviews while also providing broader regulatory advice.
• Howard Kennedy: London-based full-service law firm with an established alcohol, gambling and entertainment licensing team. Competes for the same hospitality and leisure operator mandates as Poppleston Allen, particularly in London and the South East.
• Keystone Law: UK law firm with a recognised licensing practice covering alcohol, gambling and entertainment licensing. Competes with Poppleston Allen on reviews, premises licence variations and gambling operator mandates.
• John Gaunt & Partners: UK specialist licensing solicitors operating in the same alcohol, gambling and entertainment licensing niche as Poppleston Allen. Direct head-to-head competitor for premises licence applications, reviews and hearings across England and Wales.
• Gordons Solicitors: UK law firm with a specialist licensing team serving pub and hospitality operators. Direct competitor in licensed trade work, particularly for regional and independent operators outside London.
• TLT LLP: UK national law firm with a dedicated licensing practice serving pubs, restaurants, hotels and retailers. Competes directly with Poppleston Allen on multi-site operator licensing work while offering a broader corporate and real estate bench.

Others

• BIIAB: UK awarding body for licensing and hospitality qualifications, including the APLH and ALPA qualifications that Poppleston Allen Training delivers. Ecosystem partner rather than competitor; relevant for understanding the regulated training market the firm operates in.

Broad incumbents

• DLA Piper: Global law firm with UK licensing capability serving international hospitality, gambling and retail clients. Less focused than Poppleston Allen on niche premises licensing but addresses gambling and regulatory matters at the top end of the market.
• Mishcon de Reya: UK full-service law firm with a licensing offering within its larger corporate and regulatory practice. Competes for higher-end hospitality and gambling mandates, including those requiring cross-border capabilities.
• DWF LLP: Large UK-listed international law firm with a licensing practice inside its regulatory offering. Less specialist than Poppleston Allen, but competes for hospitality operator mandates through cross-selling from corporate and insurance teams.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/popall
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/popall
• Facebookfacebook.com/PopplestonAllen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/poppleston-allen
• Instagraminstagram.com/popplestonallen

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Poppleston Allen