🍻🎶🌙 Premises Licence: Everything You Need to Know

📍 What is a Premises Licence?

A premises licence is a legal authorisation granted by the local licensing authority (your local council). It allows a premises to carry out one or more licensable activities — as defined under the Licensing Act 2003.

🧾 The licence is granted in the name of the Premises Licence Holder — usually a limited company, but it can also be an individual, partnership, charity, or trust.

👉 A premises licence isn’t limited to traditional venues. We’ve successfully licensed:

• 🏞️ Open fields (festivals, outdoor cinemas)

• 🚤 Boats and barges (river cruises, floating bars)

• 🏢 Commercial spaces (cafés, coworking spaces, salons)

• 🏠 Residential properties (private bars, event spaces)

🔑 What Are Licensable Activities?

To operate legally, a premises must hold a licence if it carries out any of the following licensable activities:

1️⃣ The Sale of Alcohol by Retail

• This includes selling alcohol directly to customers, whether it's for drinking on-site (pub, bar, restaurant) or off-site (bottle shops, delivery services).

• If alcohol is sold, the licence must name a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) who holds a Personal Licence and is legally accountable for alcohol-related activities.

2️⃣ The Supply of Alcohol by or on Behalf of a Club (Club Premises Certificate only)

• This applies to qualifying members’ clubs where alcohol is supplied to members and their guests, such as social clubs and sports clubs.

• It follows a slightly different application route but is still classed as a licensable activity.

3️⃣ Provision of Regulated Entertainment

This includes providing entertainment to the public or a section of the public, such as:

• 🎭 Live music, plays, stand-up comedy

• 🎧 Amplified recorded music played to an audience

• 🎬 Public film screenings (indoors or outdoors)

• 🕺 Dance performances or club nights

• 📣 Indoor sporting events (e.g. boxing, wrestling)

Note: Small-scale entertainment before 11pm, for audiences under 500, may not require a licence — but anything larger or later typically will.

4️⃣ Provision of Late-Night Refreshment

This refers to serving hot food or hot drinks between 11:00pm and 5:00am.
Applies to:

• 🥡 Takeaways

• 🍔 Late-night cafés and diners

• ☕ Coffee shops or fast-food outlets
  Even without alcohol sales, this still requires a licence.

📝 What’s Included in a Premises Licence Application?

To apply for a premises licence, you’ll need to submit the following:

✅ Application Form (sent electronically or by post)
📘 Operating Schedule – details of licensable activities, hours, and how you’ll meet the licensing objectives
👤 DPS Consent Form – signed if alcohol is to be sold
🗺️ Plan of the Premises – must follow specific government guidelines (scale, markings, etc.)
🛂 Right to Work Evidence – e.g. passport, visa, or other Home Office document
💷 Application Fee – based on the premises' rateable value

📣 Advertising the Application

To legally notify the public, you must:

1. 🗞️ Publish a notice in a locally circulated newspaper within 10 working days of submitting your application

2. 🪧 Display a site notice on pale blue A4 paper, with a minimum font size of 16, for 28 consecutive days

   • It must be clearly visible to the public, placed where it can be read at all times

📌 Failing to advertise correctly can result in delays or rejection.

🕒 How Long Does the Process Take?

🗓️ The licensing process includes a statutory 28-day consultation period, beginning the day after the application is received.

During this time:

• Responsible authorities (police, fire service, environmental health, etc.)

• Interested parties (residents, businesses)

...can submit representations (support or objections).

🟢 If No Objections Are Made

Your premises licence is automatically granted after 28 days.

🔴 If Objections Are Raised

A licensing sub-committee hearing will be held. The committee may:

• Approve the application

• Approve with conditions

• Reject the application

👤 Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS)

If alcohol is to be sold, a Designated Premises Supervisor must be named:

• Must hold a Personal Licence

• Responsible for ensuring all alcohol sales are legal and compliant

• Must be contactable and able to manage staff

Only one DPS can be named per premises at any time.

👨‍💼 Can I Apply for a Licence?

Yes – if you are:

• ✅ A limited company

• ✅ A sole trader or partnership

• ✅ A charity or trust

• ✅ A recognised club

• ✅ An individual (18+ with legal right to work in the UK)

Applications can be made directly or via a professional licensing service.

🛠️ Why Use a Licensing Consultant?

While it’s possible to apply yourself, many applications fail due to:

• ❌ Incorrect plans

• ❌ Poorly written operating schedules

• ❌ Incomplete advertising

• ❌ Ignoring local policy zones (e.g., Cumulative Impact Zones)

💼 Professional support can help you:

• Conduct a tailored risk assessment

• Draft a compliant, persuasive operating schedule

• Handle communication with responsible authorities

• Advertise correctly in press and on-site

• Avoid delays, objections, or rejections

💼 Our Full Premises Licence Application Service — From £750+VAT

We offer expert licensing services for venues across England & Wales.

✅ What’s Included:

• 🔍 Risk assessment by a specialist

• 📋 Drafting and submitting the full application

• 🧾 Operating schedule tailored to your business

• 🪧 Preparing newspaper and site notices

• 🤝 Liaising with authorities and mediating objections

❌ What’s Not Included:

• Council application fees

• Newspaper advertisement fees

• Premises layout plans (if not supplied)

While no application is guaranteed, the Licensing Act 2003 assumes that licences will be granted unless there are valid, unresolved objections.

📞 Ready to Get Started?

Whether you're opening a bar, planning a festival, or launching a late-night food truck — we’re here to help.

📧 Email: Complete the form below
📞 Call: 0800 433 7913