Personal Licence = the person. Premises Licence = the place. Most businesses selling alcohol in England and Wales will involve both.
Issued to an individual. It allows the holder to sell or authorise the sale of alcohol, and to be named as a Designated Premises Supervisor.
What is a personal licence?Issued for a specific location. It authorises licensable activities there, such as the sale of alcohol, regulated entertainment and late-night refreshment.
What is a premises licence?| Feature | Personal Licence | Premises Licence |
|---|---|---|
| Issued to | An individual | A specific premises (location) |
| What it does | Allows the holder to sell or authorise the sale of alcohol | Authorises licensable activities at that premises |
| Where it applies | Any appropriately licensed premises in England and Wales | Only the premises named on the licence |
| Who applies, and where | The individual, to the licensing authority where they normally live | The business or person operating it, to the licensing authority where the premises is |
| Can it change hands? | No, it belongs to the holder | Yes, it can be transferred to a new licence holder |
| DPS | Needed to be named as a DPS | Names a DPS where alcohol is sold |
| Renewal | No renewal needed since 2015 | Does not normally expire; an annual fee is payable |
Swipe the table sideways to see the premises licence column.
If a premises sells alcohol under a Premises Licence, it will need a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) who holds a Personal Licence.
The DPS is named on the Premises Licence and is the person with day-to-day responsibility for alcohol sales. There can only be one DPS on a Premises Licence at a time.
Read our guide: What is a Designated Premises Supervisor?
No. Alcohol sales must be made or authorised by a Personal Licence holder. That person does not have to be physically present for every individual sale, provided the sales have been properly authorised.
Individual bar, restaurant or shop staff do not all need their own Personal Licence.
A Personal Licence can be used at appropriately licensed premises throughout England and Wales. Scotland operates a separate system.
You need a Premises Licence.
A new venue needs a Premises Licence, or an existing licence transferred to you. If you sell alcohol, you will also need a DPS who holds a Personal Licence.
Premises licence application serviceYou need a Personal Licence.
To be named as the DPS, or to authorise alcohol sales, you will need a Personal Licence. The first step is the APLH qualification.
Personal licence course & examUsually not required.
Staff do not need their own Personal Licence, provided sales are made or authorised by a Personal Licence holder. Many people still get one to progress into management.
What is a personal licence?Whether you need the APLH qualification for a Personal Licence, or help with a Premises Licence for your venue, our team can help.
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