Food, Drink & Hospitality Scotland

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 premises managers.

Guide summary

You must get a premises licence from your local Licensing Board before selling alcohol in Scotland. Prepare an operating plan, layout plan, and appoint a premises manager with a valid Scottish personal licence. Submit your application with the fee (up to £2,000) and display the licence on the premises. Off-sales hours are limited to 10am to 10pm.

  • Check your local Licensing Board's overprovision policy first
  • Prepare an operating plan with hours, activities, and capacity
  • Draw up a layout plan showing alcohol sales areas
  • Appoint a premises manager with a valid Scottish personal licence
  • Submit application with fee (£200 to £2,000 based on rateable value)
  • Licensing Board notifies Police Scotland – 21 days to respond
  • Attend Board hearing if objections are received
  • Display the premises licence summary prominently
  • Off-sales hours must be between 10am and 10pm
  • Personal licence requires refresher training every 5 years
On this page

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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 premises manager — 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