Applying for a Premises Licence

Grant of a Premises Licence

A Premises Licence is required in respect of any premises or part of a premises where it is intended to carry on licensable activity, which includes the supply of alcohol, public music and dancing, provision of hot food between 11pm and 5am, showing of films and performance of plays.

To apply for a Premises Licence you must send to the Licensing Authority:-

• a completed application form;
• a plan to the scale of 1:100 of the premises to which the application relates;
• the fee based upon the premises non-domestic rateable value,

If any licensable activity includes the supply of alcohol, the application must specify information about the person (who must hold a Personal Licence) whom the applicant wishes to be the 'Designated Premises Supervisor' and must also be accompanied by:-

• a specified form of consent from the nominated 'Designated Premises Supervisor;
• a specified form of consent (where an application is made by a person who is not the holder of the licence/s).

The plan shall show:-

• the extent of the boundary of the building, if relevant, and any external and internal walls of the building and, if different, the perimeter of the premises;
• the location of points of access to and egress from the premises;
• the location of escape routes from the premises;
• in a case where the premises is to be used for more than one licensable activity, the area within the premises used for each activity;
• fixed structures (including furniture) or similar objects temporarily in a fixed location (but not furniture) which may impact on the ability of individuals on the premises to use exits or escape routes without impediment;
• in a case where the premises includes a stage or raised area, the location and height of each stage or area relative to the floor;
• in a case where the premises includes any steps, stairs, elevators or lifts, the location of the steps, stairs, elevators or lifts;
• in the case where the premises includes any room or rooms containing public conveniences, the location of the room or rooms;
• the location and type of any fire safety and any other safety equipment including, if applicable, marine safety equipment; and
• the location of a kitchen, if any, on the premises.

The plan may include a legend through which the matters mentioned or referred to above are sufficiently illustrated by the use of symbols on the plan. 

A notice must be displayed at or on the premises to which the application relates for a period of not less than 28 consecutive days from the day following the day the application was given to the Licensing Authority, where it can be conveniently read from the exterior of the premises.  Where the premises cover an area of more than 50 square meters, a further identical notice must be displayed every 50 metres along the external perimeter of the premises abutting any highway.  The notice must be on pale blue paper sized A4 or larger and printed legibly in black ink or typed in black in a font size equal to or larger than 16.

The notice must state: -

• details of the relevant licensable activities that it is proposed will be carried on or from the premises, or in the case of an application to vary the licence, a brief description of the proposed variation,
• the name of the applicant,
• the postal address of the premises, or in the case where there is no postal address, a description of the premises sufficient to enable the location and extent of the premises to be identified,
• the postal address and (where applicable) the worldwide web address where the register of the relevant licensing authority is kept and where and when the record of the application may be inspected,
• the date by which an interested party or responsible authority may make representations to the relevant licensing authority and that representations should be made in writing,
• that it is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application and the maximum fine for which a person is liable on summary conviction for the offence. 

A notice, containing the same details, must be published in a local newspaper or similar document on at least one occasion during the period of 10 working days following the day after giving the application to the Licensing Authority.

In order to lessen the potential for an application to be rejected as being invalid, or for representations being made, you are strongly advised to discuss your proposed application and how the forms have been completed with each of the relevant Responsible Authorities.

Variation of a Premises Licence (other than to change Premises Supervisor)

To apply for variation of a Premises Licence you must follow the same procedure as that of applying for a new licence, except that the Premises Licence must also be sent with the application to the Licensing Authority.  The fee for variation is the same as for grant of the licence.

Variation of Premises Licence (to change Premises Supervisor)

To apply for variation of a Premises Licence following change of the Premises Supervisor, you must send to the Licensing Authority:-

• a completed application form;
• the premises licence;
• a form of consent given by the individual whom the applicant wishes to have specified as the Premises Supervisor;
• the fee of £23.00
• A copy of the application must also be given to the existing Premises Supervisor and sent to the police

Only the police can object to the application, on the grounds of crime prevention if someone has a relevant criminal conviction.  If there are no representations made the Licensing Authority must grant the licence.  If representations are made, a hearing will be held before the Licensing Sub-Committee.

Application forms may be downloaded by following the link in Related Content.