Food, Drink & Hospitality Food, hospitality and tourism

Premises licence (alcohol)

Apply for a premises licence to sell or supply alcohol from your business in England and Wales. Covers the application process, fees, the four licensing objectives, mandatory conditions, and what happens after you receive your licence.

UK-wide
Guide summary

Apply for a premises licence to sell alcohol in England or Wales. You must submit an application to your local council, pay a fee based on your premises' rateable value, and advertise your application for 28 days. Include measures to promote public safety and prevent crime.

  • Apply to your local council with a premises plan and operating schedule
  • Pay a fee from £100 to £1,905 depending on rateable value
  • Advertise your application on-site and in a local newspaper
  • Appoint a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) for alcohol sales
  • Include measures to prevent crime, ensure safety, reduce noise, and protect children
  • Submit copies to police, fire service, and other authorities
  • Wait 28 days for public consultation
  • Attend a hearing if there are objections
  • Follow the four licensing objectives in your operations
  • Automatic conditions include no irresponsible promotions and free drinking water
On this page
UK-wide

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If you want to sell or supply alcohol from your premises in England or Wales, you need a premises licence from your local council's licensing authority. This applies whether you are opening a pub, restaurant, off-licence, hotel, or any other business where alcohol will be sold.

A premises licence can also authorise regulated entertainment (live music, films, sporting events) and late night refreshment (hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am). You can apply for all of these activities on a single licence.

When you need a premises licence

You need a premises licence if you plan to:

  • Sell alcohol by retail (to the public)
  • Supply alcohol in a club
  • Provide regulated entertainment to the public
  • Serve hot food or hot drink between 11pm and 5am

If your premises will sell alcohol, you must also appoint a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) who holds a personal licence. The DPS takes day-to-day responsibility for alcohol sales.

Before you apply

Gather the following before starting your application:

  • A premises plan to scale (1:100, unless the licensing authority has agreed a different scale with you in writing) showing the layout, entrances, exits, and areas where licensable activities will take place
  • Your proposed operating schedule setting out the activities you want to carry on, the hours you want to operate, and the steps you will take to promote the four licensing objectives
  • Details of your proposed Designated Premises Supervisor (if selling alcohol), including their personal licence number
  • Written consent from the DPS agreeing to be named on your licence
  • Your non-domestic rateable value (check the Valuation Office Agency website) to determine your fee band
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    1. Complete the premises licence application form

    Fill out the application form for your local licensing authority. You can apply online through GOV.UK or download a paper form from your local council. Provide details of the premises, the licensable activities you want to carry on, your proposed operating hours, and your operating schedule.

  2. 2

    2. Prepare your operating schedule

    Your operating schedule must set out the steps you will take to promote each of the four licensing objectives. Include proposed measures such as CCTV, staff training, door supervision, noise management, and Challenge 25 age verification. The more thorough your schedule, the fewer conditions the licensing authority is likely to impose.

  3. 3

    3. Submit to your local licensing authority with the correct fee

    Submit the completed application with your premises plan, DPS consent form, and the application fee. Fees range from £100 (Band A) to £1,905 (Band E with multiplier) depending on your non-domestic rateable value.

  4. 4

    4. Advertise the application

    On the day of submission (or the day after), display a notice on or near the premises on pale blue A4 paper. The notice must be visible to passers-by for 28 consecutive days. You must also place an advertisement in a local newspaper within 10 working days of submission.

  5. 5

    5. Send copies to responsible authorities

    On the same day you submit to the licensing authority, send copies to all responsible authorities including the police, fire service, environmental health, trading standards, the local safeguarding children board, and the planning authority.

  6. 6

    6. Wait for the 28-day consultation period

    Responsible authorities and interested parties (local residents and businesses) have 28 days to make representations. If no representations are received, the licence must be granted as applied for.

  7. 7

    7. Attend a hearing if representations are made

    If representations are received, the licensing authority will hold a hearing before a licensing sub-committee. You can negotiate with objectors beforehand to resolve concerns. The sub-committee may grant the licence as applied for, grant it with modified conditions, reject parts of the application, or refuse it entirely.

After you receive your licence

Once granted, your premises licence is valid indefinitely (there is no expiry or renewal). However, you must:

  • Pay the annual fee to the licensing authority (failure to pay can lead to suspension)
  • Comply with all conditions attached to your licence
  • Keep the summary of the licence (Part B) on display at the premises
  • Notify the licensing authority of any change of name or address as soon as reasonably practicable
  • Ensure your DPS remains in post and holds a valid personal licence

If you want to change your licence (extend hours, add activities, alter the layout), you will need to apply for a variation. If you sell or transfer the business, the new owner must apply for a transfer of the premises licence.

Penalty risk
Penalty:
Carrying on licensable activities without a licence, or breaching your licence conditions, is a criminal offence under s.136 of the Licensing Act 2003. The police and licensing authority can also apply for a closure order.

Official guidance and legislation