Januarys can be bloody miserable. It’s cold, you’re invariably ill through either excessive indulgence or one of the many lurgies which see the New Year chimes as a ‘call to arms’ and usually financially embarrassed from trying to buy peoples’ love and affection. Hardly surprising that January is the favourite time of year to job hunt. The licensed trade has traditionally seen high staff turnover. Whilst this presents a number of challenges (and opportunities for that matter) it is important to remember that there are licensing considerations if your designated premises supervisor (“DPS”) suddenly jumps ship. This is because it is a mandatory condition on all premises licences that alcohol may only be sold where there is a DPS in place. If your DPS does leave it is vital that a new DPS is appointed immediately and the correct notice is given to the police and outgoing DPS. If you fail to carry out what some dismiss as a mere ‘administrative step’ you risk prosecution or being faced with having to close or not sell alcohol until a new DPS is varied onto the premises licence. Likewise if you are a DPS and are changing jobs you should ensure that you are replaced as DPS, otherwise you risk being held responsible if matters take a turn for the worse in your absence.