Licensing Act 2003: licensing laws

Licensing applications

Details of licensing applications received and application hearings.

The Council’s new Licensing Policy

The new policy will take effect from 8 January 2008. This means that any application that has to be determined by the Licensing Committee on or after the 8 January will be considered against the terms of the new policy even if it was submitted to the licensing authority prior to that date.

Find out more about the new Licensing Policy.

Regulations for Temporary Event Notices

The current regulations for Temporary Event Notices came into force on 10 November. These regulations changed how Temporary Event Notices are given and how licensing authorities issue counter-notices. With these regulations, the council is now able to process Temporary Event Notices.

More information on Temporary Event Notices.

Who the Licensing Act affects

The Licensing Act 2003 deals with alcohol, regulated entertainment and late night refreshment and is the responsibility of the Council as the Licensing Authority.

The Act affects anyone concerned with:

• Pubs and nightclubs
• Off licences and shops selling alcohol
• Restaurants serving alcohol
• Businesses selling hot food between 11.00pm and 5.00am (including take-aways and mobile caterers)
• Hotels, guest houses and other places that sell alcohol
• Private members clubs, social clubs and sports clubs selling alcohol
• Places that put on public entertainment
• Theatres and amateur dramatic clubs
• Cinemas
• Indoor sporting events
• Occasional entertainments of music or dancing

Application forms

Premises Licence, Personal Licence and Club Premises Certificates

Under the Licensing Act 2003, a premises licence is required for any premises where licensable activities take place. These activities include the sale by retail of alcohol, the provision of regulated entertainment and the supply of hot food and drink between 23.00 and 05.00 hours.  Any person selling or authorising the sale of alcohol requires a personal licence. A club premises certificate is required for members' clubs (qualifying clubs) where the supply of alcohol is made to members' and their guests.

Application forms are available from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport website.

Changes to conditions of a premises licence or club premises certificate

A premises licence holder, or club secretary for a qualifying club, may make an application to vary conditions on a premises licence or club premises certificate at any time. A variation application could be made to extend the hours of operation or include a licensable activity not authorised by the existing licence or certificate.  Any variation application must be advertised for twenty-eight days.  During the advertising period an interested party (local resident or business) or a responsible authority can make representation to the Licensing Authority.

For more information on making a variation application please visit the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) website.

To put forward your views on applications, please see our Making representations section.

Enforcement

Throughout the year, officers of the Licensing Authority will carry out risk based and unannounced inspections of all licensed premises to ensure conditions of licence and safe standards are being maintained.