Premises Licence - Grant

This page is aimed at individuals or businesses who may need to apply for a premises licence granted under the 2003 Licensing Act in order to be able to conduct one or more of the following licensable activities:

• Sale by retail of alcohol
• The provision of regulated entertainment
• The provision of late night refreshment (hot food and drink sales) between 11pm and 5am

Regulated entertainment includes the following activities:

1. a performance of a play
2. an exhibition of a film
3. an indoor sporting event
4. boxing or wrestling entertainment
5. a performance of live music
6. any playing of recorded music
7. a performance of dance
8. entertainment of a similar description to 5, 6 or 7

The licensing objectives

Under the Act there are four key licensing objectives of:

• Prevention of crime and disorder
• Protection of children from harm
• Public safety
• Prevention of public nuisance

Application Evaluation Process

Applications must be sent to the licensing authority for the area where the premises are located.

Applications must be in a specific format and be accompanied by a required fee.

An operating schedule, a plan of the premises and a form of consent from the premises supervisor (for applications where the sale of alcohol will be a licensable activity).

An operating schedule will include details of:

• The licensable activities
• The times when the activities will take place
• Any other times when the premises will be open to the public
• In the case of applicants who wish to have a limited licence, the period the licence is required for
• Information in respect of the premises supervisor
• Whether any alcohol that is to be sold is for consumption on or of the premises or both
• The steps proposed to be taken to promote the licensing objectives
• Any other required information

Applicants may be required to advertise their application and to give notice of the application to any other person or responsible body, eg the local authority, chief police officer or fire and rescue authority.

The licensing authority must grant the application, which can be subject to conditions. A hearing must be held if any representations are made in respect of the application.

If a hearing is held the licence can be granted or granted subject to additional conditions, licensable activities listed in the application can be excluded or the application can be rejected.

The licensing authority will serve a notice of its decision on the applicant, any person who has made relevant representations (ie representations that were not deemed frivolous or vexatious) and the chief of police.

Applications can also be made to vary or transfer a licence. A hearing may have to be heard if representations are made or conditions relating to a transfer are not met.

Other applications that can be made are applications for an interim authority notice following the death, incapacity or insolvency of a licence holder or review applications.

Apply online

Apply for a premises licence

Failed Application Redress

If an application for a licence is refused, the failed applicant can appeal.

Appeals are made to a Magistrates' court within 21 days of notice of the decision.

Licence Holder Redress

If an application is made by the chief police officer, as detailed below, and interim steps are taken by the licensing authority you may make representations.

A hearing must be held within 48 hours of your representations.

A licence holder may appeal against any conditions attached to a licence, a decision to reject a variation application, a decision to reject a transfer application or a decision to exclude an activity or person as premises supervisor.

Appeals are made to a Magistrates' court within 21 days of notice of the decision

Other Redress

The chief police officer for the police area where the premises are located can apply to the licensing authority for a review of the licence.

They may do this if the premises are licensed to sell alcohol by retail and a senior officer has given a certificate that they are of the opinion that the premises are associated with either serious crime, disorder or both.

A hearing will be held and the licence holder and other interested parties may make representations.

A chief police officer can give a notice to the licensing authority if they believe that the transfer of a licence to another, under a variation application could undermine crime prevention objectives.

Such a notice must be given within 14 days of receiving notification of the application.

An interested party or responsible body may make representations in relation to a licence application or request the licensing body to review a licence.

An interested party or responsible authority may apply to the licensing authority to review the premises licence. A hearing will be held by the licensing authority.

A chief police officer may make representations to the licensing authority for a review of the licence if the premises are licensed to sell alcohol by retail and a senior member of the force has given a certificate to state that in their opinion the premises are associated with serious crime, disorder or both.

An interested party or relevant authority who made relevant representations may appeal against the granting of a licence or against any condition, variation, licensable activity or premises supervisor decisions.

Appeals are made to a Magistrates' court within 21 days of notice of the decision.