Food, Drink & Hospitality

Apply for an alcohol premises licence in Scotland

Step-by-step guide to obtaining a premises licence under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, including operating plans, Licensing Board applications, and designated premises managers.

Scotland
Guide summary

To sell alcohol in Scotland, you must apply for a premises licence from your local Licensing Board. Prepare an operating plan, layout plan, and identify a premises manager with a personal licence. Submit your application with the fee and notify relevant authorities.

  • Apply for a premises licence from your local Licensing Board
  • Prepare an operating plan with hours and activities
  • Create a layout plan showing where alcohol is sold
  • Identify a premises manager with a Scottish personal licence
  • Pay the application fee (typically £200-£2,000)
  • Notify police, fire service, and health board within 28 days
  • Display the licence summary on your premises
  • Off-sales hours are 10am to 10pm maximum
  • Check for overprovision in your area before applying
  • Minimum price for alcohol is 65p per unit
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Scotland

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Alcohol licensing in Scotland

How alcohol licensing works in Scotland under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 — five licensing objectives, Licensing Boards, …

To sell alcohol from business premises in Scotland, you need a premises licence from your local Licensing Board. Scotland has its own licensing system under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, which is different from England and Wales.

  1. 1

    Check your local Licensing Board's policy statement for any overprovision assessments in your area — if overprovision is identified, new applications face a presumption of refusal

  2. 2

    Prepare your operating plan detailing proposed hours, activities, and capacity

  3. 3

    Draw up a layout plan of the premises showing the areas where alcohol will be sold and consumed

  4. 4

    Identify your designated premises manager (DPM) — they must hold a valid Scottish personal licence

  5. 5

    Complete the application form and submit it to your local Licensing Board with the required fee — fees are set nationally as maximum amounts by rateable value band (£200 to £2,000); each Board determines its fee up to the cap

  6. 6

    The Licensing Board notifies the relevant bodies (including Police Scotland) — the chief constable has 21 days to respond, and the public objection window is 21 days from the site notice

  7. 7

    Attend the Licensing Board hearing if objections are received or if the Board requires further information

  8. 8

    Once granted, display your premises licence summary prominently on the premises

Operating plan: Your operating plan is a key part of the application. It must describe the type of premises, proposed opening hours (on-sales and off-sales separately), activities offered, and any children and young persons policy.

Off-sales hours: The maximum permitted off-sales hours in Scotland are 10am to 10pm. Individual Licensing Boards may restrict these further.

Official guidance