Food, Drink & Hospitality Food, hospitality and tourism

Vary your premises licence

How to apply for full and minor variations to your existing premises licence — change hours, layout, activities, or conditions.

UK-wide
Guide summary

To change your premises licence, apply for a full variation for major changes like extending hours or altering layout (£100-£635 fee, 28-day process), or a minor variation for small changes (£89 fee, 15-day process).

  • Apply for a full variation for major changes (£100-£635)
  • Apply for a minor variation for small changes (£89)
  • Full variation requires a 28-day consultation
  • Minor variation decided in 15 working days
  • Display notice at premises for full variation
  • Send copies to authorities on submission day
  • Attend hearing if objections for full variation
  • Cannot appeal minor variation refusal
  • Transfer/DPS variation fee: £23
  • Check rateable value forsqrt number thing
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UK-wide

Related guides in Alcohol Licensing

Premises licence: how to apply

How to apply for a premises licence to sell alcohol, provide late night refreshment, or offer regulated entertainment …

If you need to change your premises licence — for example, extending hours, adding activities, or altering the layout — you must apply for a variation. There are two types: a full variation for significant changes, and a minor variation for small, non-contentious changes.

Full variation process

  1. 1

    Complete the variation application form

    Describe the changes you want to make. If changing the layout, include an updated premises plan.

  2. 2

    Submit with the correct fee

    The full variation fee is the same as the original application fee for your rateable value band (£100-£635). Submit to your local licensing authority.

  3. 3

    Advertise the variation for 28 days

    Display a notice at the premises and place an advertisement in a local newspaper, just as you did for the original application.

  4. 4

    Send copies to responsible authorities

    On the same day you submit, send copies to all responsible authorities (police, fire, environmental health, etc.).

  5. 5

    Attend a hearing if representations are made

    If objections are received during the 28-day consultation period, the licensing authority will hold a hearing. You can negotiate conditions to resolve objections beforehand.

Minor variation process

A minor variation is simpler, cheaper, and faster. It costs £89 and is decided within 15 working days with no hearing.

Use a minor variation for:

  • Small changes to the premises layout (not affecting capacity or access)
  • Adding conditions that promote the licensing objectives
  • Reducing hours or removing licensable activities

You cannot use a minor variation to extend hours or add new licensable activities — you need a full variation for those changes.

No right of appeal: If a minor variation is refused, you cannot appeal — you must apply for a full variation instead.