How to apply for a Premises Licence

Premises intending to sell alcohol or provide “licensable activities” from a particular venue are required to obtain a Premises Licence from their local council.

Premises must have a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) when applying for a Premises Licence. The DPS must have a Personal Licence to authorise every sale of alcohol.

Why do I need a Premises Licence?

A Premises Licence is required if you plan to sell alcohol or provide “licensable activities”, which include:

• Selling alcohol

• Serving hot food and drinks between 11pm and 5am

A Premises Licence will also be required to the following types of entertainment will be provided:

• Theatrical performance
• Showing a film
• Indoor sporting event
• Boxing or wrestling (indoor or outdoor)
• Live music
• Recorded music
• Dance
• Facilities for making music
• Dancing facilities

A Premises Licence is still required even if these activities are for charity.

You DON’T need a licence for some types of entertainment

including:

• Educational or promotional films
• Films shown as part of an exhibition in a museum or gallery
• Incidental music (live or recorded)

How do I get a Premises Licence?

You will need to apply for a Premises Licence from your local council – that is the one where the premises are based. You will need to do the following:

• Be 18 years or older
• Be or appoint a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS), who must have a Personal Licence. We offer the Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders qualification.
• Provide the council with your details
• Provide the council with details of your DPS
• Provide a detailed plan of the premises
• Provide an operating schedule, such as the hours when alcohol will be sold
• Follow any other conditions added to your Premises Licence, such as having an age-checking policy if you sell alcohol
• Display your ‘application notice’ at or on the premises for 28 days from the day after it was submitted.
• Pay the local council application fee. This is based on the rateable value of the property. Application fees range from £100 to £1,905, depending on the fee band of your venue. If your premises doesn’t have a rateable value, it will fall into the lowest fee band.