How Reactive and Planned Maintenance Impact Your Building’s Alcohol License

Any venue that serves alcohol whether it’s a swanky wine bar, gastro-pub or an east-end battlecruiser all have one thing in common, the need for an alcohol license. With the governments recent commitment to make licensing more straightforward and easier to obtain, we at AMPM thought it was high time to have a look at the impact that reactive and planned maintenance can have on obtaining and keeping an alcohol license.

Entry and Exits: A critical starting point for any licensed premises is the condition and clarity of its access and exit routes. These pathways must allow smooth movement at all times and every officer reviewing a venue will check door widths, opening directions and the overall layout. At AM Planned Maintenance we regularly fit certified fire doors and panic bars that operate efficiently even during heavy use. These access ways also have to be maintained, with fire doors needing to be replaced as soon as they become damaged in anyway, this is where good planned maintenance and swift reactive maintenance really comes into their own.

Fire Safety Equipment: Extinguishers, exit signs and high visibility markings are also heavily regulated and vital for all public buildings, especially those who serve alcohol. The location of call points, extinguishers, emergency lighting and detectors must match council expectations and should be easy to identify during inspections, missing equipment or signs will be picked up and if not replaced can be a short cut to losing your license. At AMPM we are expert at decoding regulations and providing a plan of works that can quickly bring your premises up to code. Again, it is vital that these items are aren’t just put in place but maintained over time, necessitating a ongoing planned maintenance and reactive maintenance.

Fixed structures and furniture can also present licensing challenges. A booth placed too close to an exit or an installation that reduces visibility along an escape route can cause issues quickly. Our planned project work helps venues reshape awkward areas, improve layouts and remove potential hazards before they appear on a compliance report. Continued oversight through planned maintenance and planned reactive maintenance ensures these improvements remain consistent and safe.

Capacity limits depend on how effectively a venue manages its space, so clear layouts and secure boundaries are crucial. We often support clients by installing external seating, reinforced windows, boundary walls and fencing to help control movement and reduce anti social behaviour. These installations are essential for venues that operate late into the night, and they stay effective through a mix of planned maintenance, planned reactive maintenance and the advantages of reactive maintenance which ensures any damage is dealt with before it affects safety or compliance.

A recent example in central London shows how significant this work can be. A pub had been dealing with repeated anti social behaviour at the rear of its premises, where people were climbing onto a six foot wall, leaving rubbish, making noise and gaining access without permission. The local authority advised that unless the wall was made secure, the pub could face licensing consequences. They approached AMPM for support.

We attended promptly, provided a clear quotation and then returned to carry out the installation. The work involved removing overgrown shrubbery along the wall, installing strong anchor posts behind it and fitting a sturdy but presentable wooden fence across the top. The finished structure prevents access, reduces disruption and satisfies the licensing requirement in full.

This project demonstrates how reactive maintenance leading onto planned project work can play an essential role in protecting a venue’s ability to operate. At AM Planned Maintenance we provide that support every day, ensuring our clients’ premises stay safe, functional and fully licensed.