Local councils (local authorities) regulate many business activities through licensing systems. Whether you're opening a restaurant, running a market stall, hosting an event, or operating a taxi, you'll need one or more licences from your local council.

Operating without required licences is a criminal offence with penalties including unlimited fines, imprisonment, closure orders, and seizure of goods. This guide explains the main types of local authority licences, how to apply, and how to find exactly what you need for your business.

Local Authority Licensing Requirements

Overview of licences issued by local councils including premises licences, street trading, food registration, and temporary event notices.

Most businesses need one or more licences from their local authority (council) to operate legally. Requirements vary by business activity, location, and sector. Operating without required licences is a criminal offence with penalties including fines, closure orders, or prosecution.

Premises licence (alcohol): £100 to £1,905 (based on rateable value)
Personal licence (alcohol supervision): £37 (national fee)
Food business registration: FREE (mandatory 28 days before opening)
Street trading licence: Varies by local authority
Temporary Event Notice (TEN): £21 per event (up to 5 per year)
Late night levy areas: Additional fee for alcohol sales 12am-6am
Pavement licence (outdoor seating): Varies by local authority
Taxi/private hire licence: Varies by local authority (DBS required)

Find licences you need using GOV.UK Licence Finder

Why local councils regulate businesses

Local authority licensing exists to:

Protect public safety: Alcohol licensing prevents crime and disorder, food registration protects health
Prevent nuisance: Premises licences and entertainment licences ensure businesses don't harm quality of life for residents
Maintain standards: Taxi licensing ensures driver and vehicle safety, street trading prevents obstruction
Protect vulnerable people: Licensing objectives include protecting children from harm

Different local authorities have different licensing policies and fees, so always check with your specific council even if you've operated in another area before.

Premises licences for alcohol and entertainment

If you sell alcohol, provide entertainment, or sell hot food late at night, you need a premises licence from your local licensing authority.

Premises Licence Requirements

Requirements for obtaining a premises licence to sell alcohol, provide late-night refreshment, or offer regulated entertainment.

A premises licence is required from your local licensing authority (council) if you want to:

Sell or supply alcohol
Provide late-night refreshment (hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am)
Provide regulated entertainment (live music, recorded music, plays, films, indoor sporting events, boxing/wrestling)

The licence remains valid indefinitely until revoked or varied. Must also appoint a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) who holds a personal licence.

Application fee (Band A: rateable value up to £4,300): £100
Application fee (Band B: £4,301 to £33,000): £190
Application fee (Band C: £33,001 to £87,000): £315
Application fee (Band D: £87,001 to £125,000): £450
Application fee (Band E: £125,001+): £635 to £1,905
Minimum processing time: 28 days (statutory consultation period)
DPS requirement: Personal licence holder aged 18+
Licence validity: Indefinite (until revoked or varied)
Public notice duration: 28 consecutive days at premises
Newspaper advertisement deadline: Within 10 working days of submission

Apply for a premises licence

FOOD, DRINK & HOSPITALITY Requirement

Most hospitality businesses need both a premises licence and food business registration:

Typical licensing requirements for hospitality venues

Restaurants serving alcohol: Premises licence (£100-£1,905 based on rateable value) + FREE food business registration
Pubs and bars: Premises licence for alcohol and entertainment + FREE food registration if serving food
Cafés without alcohol: FREE food business registration only (no premises licence needed)
Late-night takeaways: Premises licence for late night refreshment (hot food/drink 11pm-5am) + FREE food registration
Outdoor seating: Pavement licence (£100-£500 typically) + variation to premises licence to cover outdoor area

Timeline for opening a hospitality business

8-12 weeks before opening: Apply for premises licence (28-day consultation period minimum, but allow extra time for potential hearings)
4 weeks before opening: Register food business with environmental health (minimum 28 days required)
2 weeks before opening: Obtain personal licence for Designated Premises Supervisor (if not already held)
Before opening: Receive premises licence grant, implement HACCP food safety system, complete staff training

Costs to budget for

Premises licence application: £100-£1,905 (one-off, based on rateable value)
Premises licence annual fee: Proportionate to application fee (ongoing, annually)
Personal licence: £37 (indefinite in England and Wales since Deregulation Act 2015)
Personal licence training: £100-£300 (BIIAB Level 2 or equivalent)
Food business registration: FREE
Food safety training (Level 2): £20-£50 per staff member
Pavement licence (if outdoor seating): £100-£500 (annual)

Who this applies to: All hospitality businesses: restaurants, cafés, pubs, bars, nightclubs, takeaways, caterers, and venues providing food or alcohol to the public.

Enforcement:

Enforced by:

Local Licensing Authority (premises and personal licences)
Environmental Health (food registration and inspections)
Police (licensing objectives, especially crime prevention)

Penalties: Operating without licences can result in unlimited fines, imprisonment up to 6 months, immediate closure orders, and criminal records.

Food business registration (FREE and mandatory)

All businesses handling food must register with their local authority at least 28 days before opening. Registration is free, straightforward, and legally required.

What counts as a food business?

You must register if you:

Prepare or cook food: Restaurants, cafés, bakeries, caterers, home bakers
Sell food: Shops, market stalls, online food sellers, farm shops
Store or handle food: Warehouses, distributors, wholesalers
Serve food to the public: Schools, care homes, childminders, community kitchens
Operate occasionally: Pop-ups, festival food vendors, seasonal businesses

Registration is required even if:

You only operate occasionally or seasonally
You're home-based
You give food away for free (community kitchens, food banks)
You're just starting and haven't opened yet

The only exemptions are purely private domestic arrangements (e.g., making a meal for your family).

Street trading and markets

If you sell goods or services from the street, public spaces, markets, or a temporary structure, you'll usually need a street trading licence or consent from your local council.

What requires a street trading licence

Market stalls: Regular or occasional stalls at street markets or farmers markets
Mobile vendors: Ice cream vans, burger vans, coffee carts, food trucks
Pitch trading: Selling from a temporary structure or vehicle on the street
Pavement sales: Selling from tables or displays outside shops

How street trading licensing works

Local councils designate streets and public areas as:

Prohibited streets: No street trading allowed under any circumstances
Licensed streets: Require a street trading licence from the council
Consent streets: Require street trading consent (lighter-touch permission)

Each council sets its own fees, application processes, and conditions. Fees range from £100 to over £3,000 per year depending on location, pitch size, and trading hours.

Street Trading Licence

Licence required from local authority to sell goods or services on streets, public spaces, or from a temporary structure.

A street trading licence is required from your local council if you want to sell goods or services on the street or in public spaces. Requirements vary significantly between local authorities—some designate certain streets as 'prohibited' (no trading allowed), 'licensed' (licence required), or 'consent' (consent required). Check your local council's street trading policy before operating.

Licence fee: Varies by local authority (£100 to £3,000+ per year)
Application processing time: 4 to 12 weeks (varies by council)
Licence duration: Usually 6 or 12 months (renewable)
Pitch allocation: Some councils auction or allocate pitches
Trading hours restrictions: Set by local authority
Prohibited streets: No trading allowed (check local policy)
Food business registration: Required separately if selling food

Additional requirements for food traders

If selling food from a street trading pitch, must also:

Register as a food business with environmental health (free, 28 days before trading)
Implement a HACCP food safety management system
Display your food hygiene rating (mandatory in Wales, voluntary in England)
Meet requirements for water supply, waste disposal, and handwashing facilities
Comply with allergen labelling and food safety temperature controls

Find your local council's street trading requirements

Pavement licences for outdoor seating

If you want to place tables, chairs, or barriers on the pavement outside your premises for customers to use, you need a pavement licence from your local council. This is in addition to your premises licence if you're serving alcohol outdoors.

Highways Act 1980 Overview

Principal legislation governing highways in England and Wales. Pure data reference.

The Highways Act 1980 is the principal legislation governing highways in England and Wales. It consolidates previous highway legislation and defines the legal framework for highway creation, maintenance, and management. The Act defines what constitutes a highway, establishes highway authorities and their powers and duties, and sets out offences related to highway obstruction.

Geographic scope: England and Wales
Year enacted: 1980
Act type: Consolidation Act (bringing together previous highway legislation)
Regulatory references: Referenced by 212 regulatory documents (most referenced Act in UK regulatory framework)
Latest amendment: Updated by various transport and infrastructure Acts (most recently Infrastructure Act 2015, Neighbourhood Planning Act 2017)

Key definitions

The Act defines highways as public rights of way including footpaths, bridleways, restricted byways, and carriageways. It establishes the classification system for roads and defines highway authorities as the bodies responsible for highway maintenance and management.

Highway authorities for strategic road network: National Highways (formerly Highways England)
Highway authorities for local roads: County councils, unitary authorities, London boroughs, and metropolitan district councils
Types of highways: Footpaths, bridleways, restricted byways, carriageways (roads)

Powers and duties

Highway authorities have statutory duties to maintain highways at public expense and powers to improve, widen, or divert highways. The Act provides powers for street works (utility companies working on highways), road construction and adoption, and enforcement against obstructions. Authorities must maintain a definitive map showing public rights of way.

Maintenance duty: Highway authorities must maintain highways maintainable at public expense
Street works regime: Regulates utility companies and other organisations carrying out works on highways
Adoption process: Private streets can become publicly maintainable highways through adoption procedures
Public rights of way: Authorities must maintain definitive maps showing all public rights of way

Highway obstruction offences

Section 137 of the Act makes it an offence to wilfully obstruct the free passage along a highway without lawful authority or excuse. Section 148 prohibits depositing builders' skips on highways without permission from the highway authority. Section 161 creates offences for allowing hedges or trees to overhang highways in a way that causes danger or obstruction.

Wilful obstruction offence (s.137): Obstructing free passage along a highway without lawful authority
Maximum penalty for obstruction: Fine up to level 3 on the standard scale (currently £1,000)
Builders' skip offence (s.148): Depositing skip on highway without highway authority permission
Dangerous vegetation offence (s.161): Allowing hedges, trees, or shrubs to overhang and cause danger or obstruction

Relevance for businesses

Businesses must comply with the Highways Act when carrying out street works, obtaining permissions for scaffolding or hoardings, ensuring delivery vehicles do not cause obstruction, managing vegetation on business premises adjacent to highways, and understanding adoption requirements for new developments with private roads.

Highways Act 1980 full text

National Highways (strategic road network)

Pavement Licence for Outdoor Seating

Licence from local authority to place furniture (tables, chairs, barriers) on the pavement or highway for outdoor dining or serving customers. Pure data reference.

A pavement licence is required from the local council to place furniture on the pavement outside premises for customers to eat or drink. This includes tables, chairs, barriers, heaters, and planters. The licence is separate from premises licences for alcohol—both are required if serving alcohol outdoors.

Application fee: Varies by local authority (£100 to £500 typical)
Licence duration: Usually 1 year (renewable)
Processing time: 28 days maximum (deemed granted if no decision)
Public consultation period: 7 days minimum
Clear footway width required: Minimum 1.5 to 2 metres unobstructed path
Pavement ownership: Usually highway authority (council) permission needed
Public liability insurance: Required (typically £5 million minimum)

Pavement licence conditions

Typical conditions include:

Clear access: Minimum 1.5-2m clear footway for pedestrians, wheelchairs, and pushchairs
Removal times: Furniture must usually be removed overnight or outside trading hours
Maintenance: Keep area clean, repair damage to furniture, remove litter regularly
Accessibility: No obstruction of dropped kerbs, tactile paving, or access to other premises
Insurance: Maintain public liability insurance (minimum £5 million) throughout licence period
Furniture type: Some councils specify permitted materials, colours, or designs to maintain streetscape
Barriers: May require barriers to demarcate the licensed area and protect pedestrians

Separate from premises licence

A pavement licence only grants permission to use the highway. If serving alcohol in the outdoor area, must also:

Ensure your premises licence covers outdoor areas for alcohol sales
Apply to vary your premises licence if the outdoor area is not currently included
Appoint a Designated Premises Supervisor with a personal licence
Ensure the outdoor area meets the four licensing objectives

Apply for a pavement licence

Important: Separate from premises licence

A pavement licence only grants permission to use the public highway. It's separate from your premises licence for alcohol:

If serving alcohol outdoors: You need both a pavement licence (highway use) and a premises licence that covers the outdoor area (alcohol sales)
If the outdoor area isn't on your premises licence: Apply to vary your premises licence to include the outdoor area
Timeline: Apply for pavement licence (28 days) and premises licence variation (28 days minimum) in parallel to avoid delays

Temporary Event Notices for one-off events

Hosting a small-scale temporary event where you'll sell alcohol, provide entertainment, or serve hot food late at night? You can use a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) instead of applying for a full premises licence.

Temporary Event Notice (TEN)

Notification to local authority for small-scale temporary events where alcohol is sold, late-night refreshment provided, or regulated entertainment offered.

A Temporary Event Notice (TEN) allows you to hold a small-scale event where you sell alcohol, provide late-night refreshment (hot food/drink between 11pm-5am), or offer regulated entertainment without needing a full premises licence. TENs are limited to 499 people at any one time and can last up to 168 hours (7 days).

TEN fee: £21 per event
Maximum attendance: 499 people at any one time
Maximum event duration: 168 hours (7 days)
Notice period (standard TEN): At least 10 working days before event
Notice period (late TEN): 5 to 9 working days before (limited availability)
Personal limit per year: 5 standard TENs (or 50 if personal licence holder)
Premises limit per year: 15 TENs per calendar year
Total days limit per premises: 21 days per calendar year

TEN limitations and restrictions

Personal limits: Individuals can give a maximum of 5 standard TENs per year (50 if you hold a personal licence). This is separate from the premises limit.
Premises limits: Any single premises can host a maximum of 15 TENs per calendar year, covering no more than 21 days total.
Late TENs: Can submit a maximum of 2 late TENs (5-9 working days notice) per year. Late TENs cannot be challenged at a hearing—objections result in automatic refusal.
Counter notices: If your TEN would result in exceeding premises limits or timing restrictions, the licensing authority will issue a counter notice refusing permission.

Give a temporary event notice

TEN fee: £21 per event
When to use a TEN: Events under 500 people, up to 7 days duration
Maximum TENs per person per year: 5 (or 50 if you hold a personal licence)
Maximum TENs per premises per year: 15 events, covering maximum 21 days total
Notice period required: At least 10 working days (standard TEN)
Late TEN availability: 5-9 working days notice (maximum 2 per year)

When to use a TEN vs a premises licence

Scenario	Use	Why
Community hall hosting occasional fundraiser with bar	TEN	Infrequent events, under 500 people, cheaper than premises licence
Pub or restaurant serving alcohol daily	Premises licence	Regular operation, no annual event limits
Festival with 1,000 attendees selling alcohol	Premises licence	Over 499 people - TEN not available
Pop-up bar running for 4 weekends	Multiple TENs or premises licence	Check if within 15 TEN annual limit for premises

Taxi and private hire licensing

Operating taxis or private hire vehicles requires multiple licences from your local licensing authority: driver licence, vehicle licence, and (for private hire businesses) operator licence. All drivers must pass enhanced DBS checks.

Taxi and Private Hire Licensing

Driver and vehicle licences required from local authority to operate taxis (hackney carriages) or private hire vehicles, including DBS check requirements.

To operate as a taxi (hackney carriage) or private hire driver, you need both a driver licence and a vehicle licence from your local licensing authority. Taxi drivers can pick up passengers who hail them on the street, while private hire drivers must be pre-booked through an operator. Licensing requirements vary between councils but all require enhanced DBS checks.

Driver licence fee: Varies by local authority (£100 to £400 typical for 3 years)
Vehicle licence fee: Varies by local authority (£100 to £300 per year)
Operator licence fee: Varies by local authority (£200 to £2,000+ for 5 years)
DBS check requirement: Enhanced DBS check (updated every 6 months)
Driver licence duration: Usually 3 years (renewable)
Vehicle licence duration: Usually 1 year (renewable)
Age requirement: Usually 18 years minimum (21+ for private hire in some areas)
Driving experience: Typically 1-3 years full UK licence required

Operator licence for private hire

If you run a private hire business booking work for other drivers, you also need an operator licence from the council where your operating base is located. Operator licences typically cost £200-£2,000+ for 5 years depending on fleet size. Operators must keep records of all bookings, drivers, and vehicles for at least 12 months.

Vehicle standards and compliance

Licensed vehicles must meet standards set by the local licensing authority:

Age limits: Many councils require vehicles to be under 5-10 years old for initial licensing
MOT: Annual MOT required (6-monthly for some councils)
Wheelchair accessibility: Many councils require a percentage of the taxi fleet to be wheelchair accessible
Condition: Regular compliance checks by licensing officers; vehicle must be clean, roadworthy, and meet interior standards
Signage: Licence plates, door signs, and no smoking stickers must be displayed
Meters: Taxis usually require calibrated and sealed meters

Find your local council's taxi licensing team

How to find what licences you need

The easiest way to identify all the licences your business needs is to use the GOV.UK Licence Finder. This free tool covers over 30 government departments and all local authorities.

Using Licence Finder

Go to GOV.UK Licence Finder: www.gov.uk/licence-finder
Select your business activity: Choose from categories like food, alcohol, entertainment, transport, waste, etc.
Enter your location: Provide your postcode - licences and fees vary by local authority
Review results: You'll see all licences you need, who issues them, estimated costs, and application links
Apply directly: Follow links to application forms and guidance for each licence

What Licence Finder covers

Local authority licences (premises, food, street trading, taxis, entertainment)
Environmental permits (waste carriers, emissions, discharges)
Sector-specific regulation (FCA for financial services, CQC for healthcare)
Professional licences and registrations
Import and export licences

Use GOV.UK Licence Finder to identify all licences you need

Visit www.gov.uk/licence-finder and answer questions about your business activity and location. The tool will show all licences required, who issues them, estimated fees, and how to apply. This covers local authority licences and national permits.
Contact your local council licensing team early

Find your council via GOV.UK and contact the licensing department 8-12 weeks before you plan to open. Ask about local policies, fees, consultation periods, and common reasons for delays or refusals. Many councils offer pre-application advice.
Budget for application fees and annual renewals

Premises licence fees range from £100 to £1,905 based on rateable value, plus annual maintenance fees. Personal licences cost £37 and are valid indefinitely (England and Wales). Street trading and taxi licences vary by council. Food registration is free. Plan for these costs in your business budget.
Apply early - licences take time

Premises licences have a minimum 28-day consultation period, but can take 2-3 months if objections trigger hearings. Food registration must be submitted 28 days before opening. Street trading and taxi licences can take 4-12 weeks. Never start operating before licences are granted.
Understand the four licensing objectives (England and Wales)

For premises licences, demonstrate how you'll promote: (1) prevention of crime and disorder, (2) public safety, (3) prevention of public nuisance, and (4) protection of children from harm. Your operating schedule must address all four objectives.
Register your food business at least 28 days before opening

If handling food, register with environmental health at least 28 days before trading starts. Registration is free and mandatory. Implement a HACCP-based food safety system (use free Safer Food Better Business pack). Await first inspection for Food Hygiene Rating.
Keep licences displayed and renewed

Display premises licences prominently at licensed premises. Maintain public liability insurance. Track renewal dates - premises licences require annual fees, street trading and pavement licences renew annually, food registration is permanent but notify changes. Late renewals can invalidate licences.

Application process and fees

Typical application process

Identify which licences you need: Use Licence Finder or contact licensing teams
Gather documentation: Business registration, premises plans (for premises licences), proof of right to work, DBS checks (for personal and taxi licences), insurance certificates, photographs (for street trading)
Complete application forms: Download from council websites or GOV.UK
Pay application fees: Non-refundable, vary by licence type and location
Submit applications: Online or by post to relevant authority
Public consultation period: 28 days for premises licences, 7 days for pavement licences
Respond to objections if any: You may attend hearings or provide written representations
Receive decision: Automatic grant if no objections (premises licences), or decision within statutory period
Display and comply with licence conditions: Keep licences valid through renewals and compliance

Fee guide

Licence Type	Typical Fee	Renewal
Premises licence (alcohol/entertainment)	£100 - £1,905 (based on rateable value)	Annual fee (proportionate to application fee)
Personal licence (alcohol supervision)	£37	Indefinite (England/Wales)
Food business registration	FREE	Permanent (notify changes)
Street trading licence	£100 - £3,000+ per year (varies by council)	Usually 6 or 12 months
Pavement licence (outdoor seating)	£100 - £500 (varies by council)	Annual
Temporary Event Notice (TEN)	£21 per event	N/A (one-off events)
Taxi driver licence	£100 - £400 for 3 years (varies by council)	Every 3 years
Taxi vehicle licence	£100 - £300 per year (varies by council)	Annual

Enforcement and penalties

Local authorities take unlicensed operation seriously. Enforcement is carried out by licensing teams, environmental health, police, and trading standards.

Enforcement powers

Licensing authorities can:

Conduct unannounced inspections of licensed and unlicensed premises
Test purchase operations (underage sales, unlicensed alcohol sales)
Issue fixed penalty notices for minor breaches
Issue closure orders for unlicensed premises or serious breaches
Revoke or suspend licences for non-compliance
Prosecute in magistrates' court or Crown Court
Seize goods, equipment, and vehicles involved in unlicensed activities

Penalties for operating without licences

Selling alcohol without a licence: Unlimited fine and/or up to 6 months imprisonment (summary conviction), or up to 2 years (indictment)
Operating without food registration: Unlimited fine and/or up to 2 years imprisonment in serious cases. Emergency prohibition orders for immediate health risks.
Unlicensed street trading: Fine up to £1,000, seizure of goods and equipment, potential prosecution for repeat offences
Providing entertainment without a licence: Unlimited fine, premises closure possible
Operating taxis without proper licences: Unlimited fine, vehicle seizure, insurance invalidation, criminal record

Consequences of criminal conviction

Criminal record affecting future licence applications
Difficulty obtaining insurance
Refusal of future licence applications
Director disqualification (for limited companies)
Reputational damage to business
Civil liability if harm occurs

Next steps

Before you start trading

Use Licence Finder: Identify all licences you need at www.gov.uk/licence-finder
Contact licensing teams: Speak to your local council's licensing, environmental health, and street trading teams for specific requirements in your area
Budget for fees and timelines: Factor licence costs into your business plan and allow enough time for applications (8-12 weeks for premises licences is sensible)
Apply early: Submit applications well in advance - consultation periods, potential hearings, and processing times can delay opening
Complete required training: Personal licence holders need accredited qualifications, food handlers need Level 2 Food Safety, taxi drivers need knowledge tests
Implement compliance systems: HACCP for food businesses, age verification for alcohol, vehicle maintenance for taxis
Arrange insurance: Public liability insurance is required for street trading, pavement licences, and many other licences

After you receive licences

Display licences: Premises licences must be prominently displayed, taxi licence plates on vehicles
Train staff: All staff must understand licensing conditions and their responsibilities
Track renewal dates: Set reminders for annual fees and licence renewals - missing deadlines can invalidate licences
Notify changes: Inform licensing authorities of any changes to business structure, operating hours, or activities
Maintain compliance: Keep insurance valid, maintain HACCP systems, adhere to licence conditions
Respond to enforcement: Cooperate with inspections, respond promptly to enforcement notices

🧪 Business Context Testing

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