Premises Licence
The legal authorisation issued under the Licensing Act 2003 permitting a venue to sell alcohol, host regulated entertainment, or supply late-night refreshment.
A premises licence is the document under the Licensing Act 2003 that authorises a UK venue to carry out one or more licensable activities: the sale of alcohol, the supply of alcohol by clubs, the provision of regulated entertainment, and the provision of late-night refreshment. It is granted by the local licensing authority following an application that includes an operating schedule, plans, and consultation with responsible authorities. The licence specifies hours, layout, the Designated Premises Supervisor, and any conditions. It stays with the premises rather than the operator, transferring when the venue changes hands subject to approval.
Key Points
- A premises licence authorises licensable activities under the Licensing Act 2003.
- It specifies hours, layout, the DPS, and any conditions attached.
- Conditions flow from the operating schedule and are legally enforceable.
- Reviews can be triggered by responsible authorities or interested parties.
- Strong evidence of compliance is the operator's primary defence at review.
What a premises licence authorises
A premises licence specifies which licensable activities are permitted at the venue and at what times. The four licensable activities under the Licensing Act 2003 are: sale by retail of alcohol, supply of alcohol by or on behalf of a club, provision of regulated entertainment (live and recorded music between 11pm and 8am, performances of dance, indoor sporting events), and late-night refreshment (hot food and drink between 11pm and 5am). A nightclub typically requires authorisation for all four. The licence is supplemented by the operating schedule, which sets out how the operator will run the venue in a way that promotes the four licensing objectives.
Conditions and the operating schedule
Whatever the operator promises in the operating schedule becomes a condition on the licence. Common conditions for late-night venues include minimum SIA-licensed door supervisor numbers per opening hour, capacity limits, sound limiter installation with measurement points, Challenge 25 enforcement, written drug and search policies, CCTV with a minimum retention period, dispersal procedures, and incident logging. Conditions are enforceable by the police and the licensing authority. Breaching them can trigger a review, which can result in conditions added, hours reduced, the licence suspended, or revoked.
How premises licences are reviewed
A premises licence review can be triggered by responsible authorities (police, environmental health, trading standards, fire and rescue, child protection, the licensing authority) or by interested parties (residents, businesses) over concerns relating to the four licensing objectives. The licensing committee considers evidence, hears representations, and decides what action to take. Strong evidence of compliance (refusals records, capacity logs, incident reports, sound readings, door supervisor records) is the operator's primary defence. Reviews can be appealed within 21 days to the magistrates' court.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for a premises licence?
Apply to the local licensing authority where the premises is located. Submit the application form, the operating schedule, layout plans, payment of the application fee, DBS evidence for the DPS, and copies of public notice advertisements. The authority consults responsible authorities for 28 days. If no relevant representations are received the application is granted. If representations are made, the licensing committee holds a hearing.
How long does a premises licence last?
Premises licences do not expire (since the 2005 reforms) but the annual fee must be paid each year on the anniversary of grant. Failure to pay can result in suspension. The licence transfers when the venue changes hands subject to approval by the licensing authority.
What is a premises licence review?
A formal process under the Licensing Act 2003 where the licensing committee considers concerns relating to the four licensing objectives and decides whether to add conditions, reduce hours, suspend, or revoke the licence. Reviews can be triggered by responsible authorities or interested parties.
Can a premises licence be transferred to a new owner?
Yes. The new owner submits a transfer application to the licensing authority. The police have 14 days to object. If there are no objections the transfer is granted. The DPS may also need to change at the same time.
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