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Appoint and manage a Designated Premises Supervisor

Every premises licence authorising alcohol sales must name a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS). Learn about the DPS role, how to appoint one, and when you can apply for an exemption.

Guide summary

You must have a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) named on your licence to sell alcohol. The DPS must hold a personal licence, be aged 18 or over, and give written consent. If your DPS leaves, stop selling alcohol until you appoint a replacement. Pay £23 to change your DPS.

  • Appoint a DPS before selling any alcohol
  • DPS must hold a valid personal licence and be 18+
  • Get written consent from the new DPS before applying
  • Submit a variation application with £23 fee to the licensing authority
  • Notify the outgoing DPS when you replace them
  • Stop selling alcohol if DPS leaves until a replacement is named
  • Police can object to a new DPS within 14 days
  • Community premises can apply for an exemption from needing a DPS
  • Interim authority lets you keep the licence for up to 3 months if the holder dies or becomes insolvent
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If your premises licence authorises the sale of alcohol, you must have a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) named on the licence at all times. The DPS is the person with day-to-day responsibility for managing alcohol sales on the premises.

You cannot legally sell alcohol without a DPS in place (unless your premises has a community premises exemption). If your DPS leaves, you must stop selling alcohol until a replacement is appointed.

Who can be a DPS

The DPS must:

  • Hold a valid personal licence
  • Be aged 18 or over
  • Have the right to work in the UK
  • Give written consent to being named as DPS

You can be your own DPS if you hold a personal licence. Alternatively, you can appoint a manager or employee who holds one.

How to appoint or change your DPS

  1. 1

    Ensure the proposed DPS holds a personal licence

    The incoming DPS must have a valid personal licence. If they do not have one, they will need to obtain the BIIAB Level 2 qualification and apply to their local authority first.

  2. 2

    Obtain written consent from the incoming DPS

    The proposed DPS must provide written consent confirming they agree to be named on your premises licence. Keep a copy of this consent.

  3. 3

    Submit a DPS variation application to the licensing authority

    Complete the application to vary the DPS on your premises licence. Include the consent from the incoming DPS, a copy of their personal licence, and the £23 fee.

  4. 4

    Notify the outgoing DPS

    If you are replacing an existing DPS, notify them that a variation application has been submitted.

The DPS change normally takes effect immediately once accepted by the licensing authority. However, the police have the right to object to the proposed DPS within 14 days if they have concerns about crime prevention.

Community premises exemption

If your premises is a community premises (village hall, church hall, community centre) managed by a committee, you can apply for an exemption from the DPS requirement. Instead, the management committee takes collective responsibility for alcohol sales.

To qualify, the premises must be primarily used for community purposes and be managed by an elected or appointed committee of at least three members.