Licensing Act 2003

Public Registers
Please see the E Licencing register to view pending applications or existing licences under the Licensing Act  2003.

Is my business affected by the new law? 
If you or your business sell alcohol, provide public entertainment, such as live or recorded music, theatre or cinema or sell hot food or drink after 11pm, then you must apply for a new licence or certificate.

This will be the case whether you hold an existing licence, or it is not yet up for renewal or that you do not currently need a licence e.g. late night takeaways.

You or your business must have a licence, so apply now if you have not already done so. The licensing service is on hand to provide guidance and support to businesses. So whether you need information with regard to the Act generally or need support on how to make applications then officers will be pleased to assist.

A premises licence will be required by the owners of pubs, clubs, night clubs, theatres, cinemas, restaurants, takeaways, shops and other retail outlets selling alcohol. The licence will be issued for the life of the business rather than one or three years. Applicants for a premises licence will need to identify in their operating schedule how the premises will meet the four licensing objectives (see statement of Licensing policy below). If alcohol is sold, the person responsible for such sales must hold a personal licence. The act strictly regulates the grant of personal licences which are valid for a maximum of 10 years.

Live performances or live displays of nudity may require a Sex Establishment Licence.

What if I want to object to a licence?
The act provides that the council must automatically grant all applications unless it receives an objection relating to the licensing objectives in which case there will be a hearing to decide whether to grant or refuse the application. Each application will be considered on its merits and all relevant objections will be taken into account.

The Statement of Licensing Policy
The Authorities Policy Statement is accessible below. Please refer to this document if making an application to this authority.

Application Forms 
Detailed information including the licensing regulations, application forms, fees etc can be found at the Home Office website.

Apply online
Application for a new club premises certificate

Application for a premises licence

Apply for any form of premises licence or club certificate

Temporary Events Notice
If you wish to hold an ad-hoc event in England or Wales, you must give a standard temporary event notice (TEN) to your local licensing authority no later than ten clear working days before the event, for a late TEN this must be submitted to the local authority no later than 9 working days but no earlier than 5 working days prior to the event. This calculation does not include the date of submission nor the day of the event. These day calculations do not include public and bank holidays.

You must be 18 years or older to give a TEN and can give a maximum of five standard TENs per year or two late TENs per year. If you are a personal licence holder, you can give a maximum of 50 standard TENs per year or 10 late TENs per year. Your event must involve no more than 499 people at any one time and last no more than 168 hours with a minimum of 24 hours between events. A premises cannot be covered by more than 12 individual TENs per year or more than 21 days in total per year. The form and guidance notes can be found at the Home Office website or apply online for a temporary event notice.