Alcohol and entertainment licences
Do I need a licence?
Under the Licensing Act 2003, any of the following "licensable activities" will require a licence:
- the sale of alcohol
- the supply of alcohol to members of registered clubs and their guests
- the provision of "regulated entertainment" to the public, or to club members or their guests. Includes plays, films, indoor sporting events, live music, recorded music (other than background music), dance and providing music making or dancing facilities
- the supply of hot food or drink between the hours of 11pm and 5am, for consumption on or off the premises (including mobile food vans)
Licensable activities can be authorised by either a premises licence or by a temporary event notice (for short term events). More about temporary event notices.
Premises licence
Applications for premises licences can take up to two months to process.
A premises licence will be required for buildings and land, including sites in the open air, where any of the licensable activities are going to take place. If alcohol is sold, a designated premises supervisor must be specified on the licence and they will be responsible for all alcohol sales. This person must have a personal licence.
Applications to license new premises, or to amend existing licences, must be advertised. Valid objections from "responsible authorities" (police, fire or environmental health officers) or "interested parties" (local residents, resident's associations, local businesses and trade associations) will result in the application being considered and decided by a Licensing Panel of councillors. The hours or activities requested may then be amended and conditions may be imposed
More about advertising your licence application.
Personal licences
A personal licence is required by anyone who needs to authorise alcohol sales. Personal licences are valid for 10 years, unless surrendered, revoked or suspended, and are valid at UK premises that have a premises licence. A personal licence holder must have an accredited qualification from an organisation such as the British Institute of Innkeeping and undergo a Criminal Records Bureau check.
Club premises certificates
A club premises certificate is required for the supply of alcohol to members and their guests or the provision of regulated entertainment for social and other types of clubs. It is similar to a premises licence, except that no designated premises supervisor is needed.
Apply for a licence on our premises licence page