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Transfer a premises licence to a new owner

How to transfer a premises licence when buying or taking over licensed premises in England and Wales. Covers the transfer application, obtaining consent, immediate effect requests, interim authority notices, and what to do when the licence holder has died or become insolvent.

UK-wide
Guide summary

When buying or taking over licensed premises like a pub or restaurant, transfer the existing licence to your name instead of applying for a new one. You need written consent from the current licence holder and must pay a £23 fee. Send your application to the local council and notify the police, who have 14 days to object.

  • Get written consent from the current licence holder
  • Fill out the transfer form and pay £23
  • Send form to the local licensing authority
  • Notify police on the same day
  • Police have 14 days to object
  • Request immediate effect to trade straight away
  • Appoint new DPS for £23 if needed
  • Use interim authority notice if holder dies (£23)
  • Interim authority lasts up to 3 months
  • New licence needed if premises never licensed
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UK-wide

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When you buy or take over licensed premises, you can transfer the existing premises licence into your name rather than applying for a new licence. This is quicker, cheaper, and keeps the same licence conditions, authorised activities, and permitted hours.

A transfer simply changes the name of the licence holder. It does not change anything else about the licence. If you also want to change the DPS, extend hours, or add activities, you will need to submit separate applications for those changes.

When to use a transfer

Transfer is the right option when:

  • You are buying an existing licensed business (pub, restaurant, off-licence, nightclub)
  • You are taking over the lease of licensed premises
  • The business is being restructured and the licence holder entity is changing
  • A new company is taking over operations

If the premises has never been licensed, or the previous licence has lapsed or been revoked, you will need to make a new application for a premises licence instead.

Transfer fee
£23
Consent required
Written consent from the current licence holder (or their legal representative)
Immediate effect
You can request the transfer take immediate effect while it is being processed
Police objection period
14 days from notification (crime prevention grounds only)
DPS variation (if needed)
£23 (separate application)
Interim authority notice fee
£23 (where licence holder has died or become insolvent)
Interim authority duration
Up to 3 months
Legal basis
Licensing Act 2003, ss.42-44
  1. 1

    1. Obtain written consent from the current licence holder

    The existing licence holder (or their legal representative, such as a solicitor acting on their behalf during a business sale) must give written consent to the transfer. If the licence holder is a company, a director or company secretary can give consent. Without consent, the transfer cannot proceed (except in cases of death or insolvency — see interim authority notices below).

  2. 2

    2. Complete the transfer application form

    Fill out the prescribed transfer form, providing details of the current licence, the current licence holder, and your details as the proposed new holder. If you want the transfer to take immediate effect (so you can start trading straight away), tick the box requesting immediate effect.

  3. 3

    3. Submit to the licensing authority with the fee

    Send the completed form, the consent letter, and the £23 fee to the licensing authority for the area where the premises is located. Many councils accept online submissions.

  4. 4

    4. Notify the police

    On the same day you submit the transfer application, send a copy to the chief officer of police for the area. The police have 14 days to object on crime prevention grounds. If they do not object, the transfer is granted automatically.

  5. 5

    5. Apply for a DPS variation if appointing a new DPS

    If you are appointing a new DPS (rather than retaining the existing one), submit a separate DPS variation application (£23) at the same time. The new DPS must hold a valid personal licence and give written consent to being named on the licence.

  6. 6

    6. Wait for police clearance

    If the police do not object within 14 days, the licensing authority must grant the transfer. If you requested immediate effect, you can trade from the day the application is accepted — but the police can still object within 14 days, and if upheld, the transfer would be reversed.

Requesting immediate effect

If you request that the transfer takes immediate effect, the licence is treated as if it has been transferred to you from the moment your application is received by the licensing authority. This allows you to start trading without waiting for the 14-day police objection period to expire.

However, if the police subsequently object and the licensing authority upholds the objection, the transfer will be reversed and the licence reverts to the previous holder. In practice, police objections to transfers are rare.

Interim authority notices

If the licence holder has died, become mentally incapable, or become insolvent (company gone into administration or liquidation), no one can give consent for a transfer. In these circumstances, a person with a 'prescribed interest' can give an interim authority notice to keep the licence in force.

A prescribed interest means:

  • A personal representative of the deceased licence holder
  • A person with a property interest in the premises (freeholder, leaseholder)
  • An insolvency practitioner (administrator, liquidator)

The interim authority notice costs £23, lasts up to 3 months, and gives you time to arrange a formal transfer. It must be given within 28 days of the event (death, insolvency, etc.).

Transfer vs new application: quick comparison

Transfer (£23, takes effect immediately or within 14 days):

  • Same licence conditions, hours, and activities
  • No advertising or consultation period required
  • Only the police can object (crime prevention grounds only)

New application (£100-£635, takes 28+ days):

  • Choose your own conditions, hours, and activities
  • Required if no existing licence, or if the licence has lapsed or been revoked
  • Full advertising and 28-day consultation period
  • Any responsible authority or interested party can object

Common problems with licence transfers

Be aware of these issues that can delay or prevent a transfer:

  • Lapsed licence: If the previous licence holder failed to pay the annual fee, the licence may have been suspended. Check the licence is still in force before exchanging contracts.
  • Missing consent: The outgoing licence holder must give written consent. If they are uncooperative after a business sale, you may need legal advice. If they have died or become insolvent, use an interim authority notice instead.
  • Police objection: While rare, police can object if they believe the transfer would undermine the crime prevention objective. This might happen if you have relevant criminal convictions. If the objection is upheld, you can appeal to the magistrates' court within 21 days.
  • Company vs individual: A premises licence can be held by an individual or a company. If you are buying through a new company, the licence must be transferred to that company (not to you personally).
Penalty risk
Penalty:
Trading under a premises licence without being the authorised licence holder (i.e., operating after purchasing a business without transferring the licence) is an offence under the Licensing Act 2003. Ensure the transfer is in place before you start selling alcohol.

Official guidance and legislation