How to apply for a
premises licence

Before applying, establish exactly which licensable activities your business requires.

These could include sale of alcohol, regulated entertainment and late-night refreshment.

The activities and hours requested at this stage can have a significant impact on the application.

The application must identify the proposed Premises Licence holder.

For commercial premises, this is often the company operating the business, although other eligible individuals or organisations can hold a licence.

If the business is later sold to another company or individual, the licence may need to be formally transferred.

If the application includes the sale of alcohol, you will need to nominate a Designated Premises Supervisor.

The DPS must hold a Personal Licence and consent to being named on the application.

Your application needs to specify opening hours, alcohol-sale hours, whether alcohol is consumed on or off the premises, entertainment hours where applicable, and late-night refreshment hours where applicable.

Requesting appropriate hours at the beginning can prevent the need for further applications later.

The operating schedule is one of the most important parts of the application.

It explains how your premises will operate and how you will promote the four licensing objectives: prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, and protection of children from harm.

A poorly drafted operating schedule can result in questions, negotiations, objections or conditions being imposed on the licence.

A plan of the premises must accompany the application.

It should clearly show the required features of the premises and be sufficiently clear and legible for the licensing authority to assess the application.

A Premises Licence application is submitted to the licensing authority covering the location of the premises.

You do not apply to the council where the business owner lives.

Premises Licence application fees are based on the non-domestic rateable value of the premises.

Your licensing authority will confirm the fee payable.

New Premises Licence applications need to be advertised.

This includes a notice displayed at the premises for the required period and an advertisement in a local newspaper.

Incorrect advertising can cause delays, so the wording, dates and placement of notices need to be correct.

A new application is subject to a 28-day consultation period.

During this period, responsible authorities and other eligible parties can make relevant representations concerning the application.

If no relevant representations are received, the licensing authority can grant the application without a hearing.