What must a premises licence plan show?
A plan of the premises needs to accompany a new Premises Licence application and certain variations. The plan helps the licensing authority and responsible authorities understand the layout and the areas to which the licence will apply.
What Should the Plan Show?
The regulations set out what the plan must show. In summary:
- the external boundary of the premises, and external and internal walls
- entrances and exits
- escape routes where different from the exits
- the areas used for each licensable activity
- fixed structures that could affect access to exits or escape routes
- any stage or raised area, and its height
- steps, stairs, lifts and elevators
- public toilets
- fire safety and other safety equipment
- the kitchen, if there is one
Summarised from regulation 23 of the Licensing Act 2003 (Premises licences and club premises certificates) Regulations 2005. Always check your licensing authority's own guidance too.
Does the Plan Have to Be to Scale?
The regulations require the plan to be drawn in standard scale (1 millimetre to 100 millimetres) unless the licensing authority has agreed in writing that an alternative scale is acceptable.
Does the Plan Need to Be Professionally Drawn?
The key requirement is that it is accurate, clear and contains the information required by the regulations. A professionally prepared plan can be helpful for complex premises, but a simple venue may not always require an architect.
Part of a new application: How to apply for a premises licence
Common Plan Problems
- missing boundaries
- unclear licensed areas
- inconsistent labels
- plans that do not match the actual premises
- omitting relevant entrances, exits or internal divisions
An unclear or inaccurate plan can delay an application.
What Happens if the Layout Changes Later?
A significant layout change may require a Premises Licence variation. The correct procedure depends on the nature of the change and whether it could affect the licensing objectives.
Premises licence variations explained · Operating schedule guide
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Our application service can review or coordinate the plan requirements as part of the Premises Licence application process, so the plan matches the premises and the operating schedule.
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