How to apply for a premises licence
Licence summary
If you want to hold licensable activities on any premises or land, you must apply for a premises licence.
Under the Licensing Act 2003, licensable activities are defined as:
- The sale by retail of alcohol
- The supply of alcohol by or on behalf of a club
- The provision of regulated entertainment
- The provision of late night refreshment
The premises licence is granted for the life of the premises, unless the licence:
- Lapses
- Is surrendered
- Is revoked at a review hearing
The premises licence holder must pay an annual fee to the licensing authority for the licence.
Any person aged 18 years or over who is carrying on or proposes to carry on a business that involves the use of the premises for licensable activities can apply for a premises licence, for example, a tenant, property owner or a limited company.
The licensing objectives
As part of the application, you must consider equally the licensing objectives and how you will promote them throughout the licensing process.
The four licensing objectives are:
- The prevention of crime and disorder
- Public safety
- The prevention of public nuisance
- The protection of children from harm
Guidance booklet
For guidance on how to fill in the application form, visit premises licence guidance (GOV.UK). A separate booklet is available to help future licensees apply for a premises licence and provide guidance to you on how to promote the licensing objectives and work with the responsible authorities. If you would like a copy of our guidance booklet, please contact Licensing
Will I need a music licence?
Applicants for premises licences are reminded that if there is any regulated entertainment to take place in the form of live or recorded music, then there will probably be the need to hold the appropriate licence. A single licence, called the music licence is available to play or perform music in public from PPL PRS Ltd (pplprs.co.uk)
The same requirements may also apply to applicants for temporary events notices, where there is to be music provided.
Last updated: 14/03/2023 14:26
