UK Act of Parliament 2003 United Kingdom

Licensing Act 2003

What this means for your business

61 obligations
47 penalties
5 can imprison
40 guides
Enforced by
Local Authority
Applies to
United Kingdom
On this page
61 compliance obligations, 40 practical guides across 2 topics
Read full text on legislation.gov.uk

What you must do

61 compliance obligations under this legislation — 5 can result in imprisonment.

Appointments 1

Apply to change premises supervisor on your licence

If you want a different person to be the ‘premises supervisor’ on your alcohol or entertainment licence, you must submit an application to the local licensing authority. They will normally approve the change, but if you give a notice under section 37(5) they may hold a hearing and can refuse the request if it helps prevent crime.

Occupier s.39 Local Authority When you intend to appoint a new premises supervisor

Management duties 9

Ensure premises licence and summary contain required details

When you hold a premises licence, the licence and its one‑page summary must follow the standard format set by the Regulations. This means they must show who holds the licence, a plan of the premises, any time limits, the activities allowed, the name of the premises supervisor (if alcohol is supplied) and any conditions attached.

Trader/Business s.24 Local Authority

Include any mandatory conditions on your club licence

If your club holds a licence that lets you sell alcohol to members or guests, you must make sure the licence lists any mandatory conditions that the Secretary of State has ordered under section 73B. In practice this means checking the licence and getting it amended if any required conditions are missing.

Trader/Business s.73A Local Authority You hold a club premises certificate authorising the supply of alcohol to …

Maintain the minimum number of members to keep your club licence

If your club holds a club premises certificate you must keep at least 25 members (the statutory minimum). If the licensing authority believes you have fallen below this number they will issue a notice to withdraw the certificate for the relevant activity. You have three months to get the membership back up to 25, otherwise the certificate will be withdrawn.

Trader/Business s.90 Local Authority Club membership falls below 25 members

Manage alcohol purchasing committee and prohibit commissions

Unlimited fine

If you run a club that wants to supply alcohol to members or guests, you must have a committee of club members (all aged 18 or over and elected by the membership) that controls all alcohol buying and supply. You also must make sure no one gets a commission, percentage or any other personal financial benefit from those purchases or from supplying the alcohol, except the benefit that goes to the club as a whole.

Trader/Business s.64 Local Authority If your club wishes to be a qualifying club for supplying alcohol …

Obtain licence holder consent for immediate licence transfer

If you want a premises licence to pass to you straight away, you must first get the current licence holder’s written consent. If you cannot obtain consent, you must show you have taken reasonable steps to get it and that you would be able to run the licensed activity, then ask the licensing authority to waive the consent requirement.

Trader/Business s.43 Local Authority When applying to transfer a premises licence with immediate effect under s.42 …

Only serve alcohol when a licensed supervisor and staff are present

You must have a designated premises supervisor on site whenever alcohol is sold, and that supervisor must hold a current personal licence that is not suspended. In addition, every person who serves or authorises the supply of alcohol must also hold a personal licence. If either the supervisor is absent or anyone serving alcohol lacks a licence, you must not sell alcohol.

Trader/Business s.19 Local Authority Whenever alcohol is supplied on the premises

Restrict admission of children to films on club premises

If your club holds a licence that allows you to show films, you must make sure the licence contains a condition that limits children (anyone under 18) from attending a film unless the film’s classification body (or the licensing authority where no body is named) says it is allowed. You must enforce those age limits every time a film is shown.

Trader/Business s.74 Local Authority Your club holds a club premises certificate that authorises the exhibition of …

Restrict children’s admission to film screenings

If your premises licence lets you show films, you must make sure that anyone under 18 can only attend films that are classified as suitable for them. Follow the recommendations of the official film‑classification body, or the licensing authority if they have given you specific directions. This restriction has to be written into your licence and applied every time you exhibit a film.

Trader/Business s.20 Local Authority Your premises licence authorises the exhibition of films

Supply alcohol off‑premises only under certificate conditions

Unlimited fine

If your club holds a club premises certificate that allows off‑premises alcohol sales, you must only sell alcohol to members under the specific conditions set out in the certificate. The sale must happen while the club is open for on‑premises sales, the alcohol must be sealed, and it must be handed to the member in person. Failing to follow any of these steps breaches the licence and can lead to prosecution.

Trader/Business s.73 Local Authority When your club premises certificate authorises the supply of alcohol for off‑premises …

Notifications 1

Notify the licence holder when you apply to review the licence

If you or anyone else wants to challenge a premises licence, you must send a notice to the licence holder and any responsible authorities. The notice has to be sent within the period set out in the regulations, so you can’t make a review application without giving this notice.

Any Person s.51 Local Authority When you apply for a review of a premises licence

Other requirements 3

Apply for a replacement premises licence if lost or damaged

If your premises licence or its summary is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed, you must ask the licensing authority for a certified copy. You will have to pay any fee the authority sets, and the copy they give you is treated just like the original licence.

Trader/Business s.25 Local Authority Licence or summary is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed

Comply with advertising requirements for provisional statement

If you are applying for a provisional statement, you must first meet any advertising or other conditions set out in section 30 of the Licensing Act. The licensing authority will only consider your application once those requirements have been satisfied.

Trader/Business s.31 Local Authority When you submit a provisional statement application

Do not share info obtained from a licensing authority

If your business receives any data or information from a licensing authority or its responsible authority (for example during a licence application or renewal) you must keep that data confidential. You may only disclose it back to that authority for its authorised purposes – you can’t pass it on to other people or companies.

Any Person s.185 Local Authority When your business obtains information from a licensing authority or responsible authority

Offences and prohibitions 45

Allow a child to sell or supply alcohol unsupervised

Fine up to £200

If you are the licence holder, designated premises supervisor or any adult authorised to act for them, and you let someone under 18 sell alcohol or supply alcohol on behalf of a club on your premises without your explicit approval, you commit an offence. On conviction you face a fine of up to £200 (level 1 on the standard scale). No prison term is attached to this offence.

Any Person s.153 Local Authority

Allow disorderly conduct on licensed premises

Fine up to £1,000

If you run a licensed premises – such as a pub, bar, club or a temporary event – and you knowingly let disorderly behaviour happen when you could have stopped it, you commit an offence. This applies to the licence holder, the designated premises supervisor, any club officer present, the temporary‑event user, or any staff member who is authorised to prevent the conduct. On conviction you face a fine of up to £1,000.

Employee s.140 Local Authority

Allow sale of alcohol to under‑18s

Unlimited fine

If anyone who works at a licensed premises (or a club officer present) has the power to stop alcohol being sold and deliberately allows an under‑18 person to be sold alcohol, the business commits an offence. The same applies if a club supplies alcohol to a member or to anyone under 18. On conviction the offender faces an unlimited fine.

Any Person s.147 Local Authority

Allow unaccompanied child on alcohol premises

Fine up to £1,000

If you run, manage or work at premises that sell or supply alcohol, you must not let anyone under 16 who is not with an adult be on the premises while it is open for alcohol sales, especially between midnight and 5 am. Allowing an unaccompanied child onto the premises in those circumstances is an offence. On conviction you face a fine of up to £1,000 on summary conviction.

Director/Officer s.145 Local Authority

Allow under‑18s to consume alcohol on licensed premises

Unlimited fine

If a person under 18 drinks alcohol on your premises you are breaking the law. If, as a licence‑holder, staff member or club officer, you knowingly let an under‑18 drink, you commit an offence. Conviction leads to a fine – up to £1,000 for the under‑18’s own consumption and an unlimited fine if you allowed it – and the case is dealt with in the magistrates’ court.

Any Person s.150 Local Authority

Be liable for a corporate licensing offence if you consent, connive or neglect

Unlimited fine

If your company commits a licensing offence and it can be shown that a director, manager, partner or other officer gave consent, turned a blind eye, or was negligent, that individual can also be prosecuted as if they had committed the offence themselves. They face the same penalties as the company under the Licensing Act.

Director/Officer s.187 Local Authority

Buy or supply alcohol to persons under 18

Unlimited fine

If you (or anyone acting for your business) purchase alcohol for someone under 18, arrange for it to be supplied, or buy it yourself as a club member for a child, you are committing a criminal offence. The same applies if you cause alcohol to be supplied on licensed premises for a child. On conviction you face a fine – up to £1,000 for buying yourself, or an unlimited fine for buying/supplying on behalf of a child – and the case will be dealt with in the Magistrates' Court.

Any Person s.149 Local Authority

Carry out licensable activity without authorisation

6 months imprisonment

If you run, or try to run, a licensable activity (such as selling alcohol or providing regulated entertainment) on premises without a valid premises licence, club premises certificate or temporary event notice, you commit an offence. The same applies if you knowingly allow someone else to do so. On conviction you can be fined without limit and/or be sentenced to up to six months in prison.

Any Person s.136 Local Authority

Deliver alcohol to under‑18s

Unlimited fine

If anyone who works on your licensed premises (paid or unpaid) knowingly delivers alcohol to a person under 18, or allows someone else to do so, you are committing a criminal offence. On summary conviction you face an unlimited fine. No prison term is stipulated.

Any Person s.151 Local Authority

Expose alcohol for unauthorised sale

6 months imprisonment

If you display alcohol for sale on premises where the sale would be an unauthorised licensable activity (i.e., you do not have the proper licence), you commit a criminal offence. On conviction in the magistrates' court you can be sentenced to up to six months’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both, and the court may order the alcohol and its containers to be confiscated and destroyed.

Any Person s.137 Local Authority

Fail to comply with direction to provide premises licence

Fine up to £1,000

If you are the holder of a premises licence (or the designated premises supervisor) and you receive a formal direction to send the licence (or the relevant part) to the licensing authority within 14 days, you must comply. Failing to do so without a reasonable excuse is a criminal offence. On summary conviction you can be fined up to £1,000, but there is no prison term.

Any Person s.41 Local Authority

Fail to keep or display temporary event notice

Fine up to £500

If you use premises for a temporary licensable activity and you do not display the required temporary event notice (or the accompanying statement of conditions), or you do not keep it where it can be produced when asked by a constable or authorised officer, you commit an offence. On conviction you face a summary‑court fine of up to £500.

Any Person s.109 Local Authority

Fail to keep or produce club premises certificate

Fine up to £500

If you are the club secretary and you do not ensure the club premises certificate (or a certified copy and any mandatory conditions) is kept at the premises, or if you are the nominated person and you do not display the certificate summary and your role notice, or if you refuse to hand the certificate over when a constable or authorised officer asks for it, you commit an offence. Conviction brings a fine of up to £500 and the case is dealt with in the magistrates’ court.

Any Person s.94 Local Authority

Fail to keep or produce premises licence

Fine up to £500

If you hold a premises licence and do not keep a copy of the licence (or the required statements and conditions) at the premises, do not display the licence summary as required, or refuse to show the licence when a constable or authorised person asks, you commit a criminal offence. On conviction you face a maximum fine of £500, dealt with in the magistrates' court.

Any Person s.57 Local Authority

Fail to leave licensed premises when asked

Fine up to £200

If a person who is drunk or disorderly does not leave a licensed premises when a police officer or an authorised person (e.g., licence holder, designated premises supervisor, club officer or event organiser) asks them to, they commit a criminal offence. On conviction in the magistrates' court the offender faces a fine of up to £200. No jail term is provided for this offence.

Any Person s.143 Local Authority

Fail to notify change of club name or rules

Fine up to £500

If your club changes its name or amends its constitution, the club secretary must tell the local licensing authority within 28 days. Not doing so is a criminal offence. On summary conviction the club can be fined up to £500.

Any Person s.82 Local Authority

Fail to notify change of club's registered address

Fine up to £500

If your club can no longer use its registered address and you do not inform the licensing authority as soon as reasonably practicable, the club secretary commits an offence. Conviction results in a fine of up to £500 on summary conviction. No prison term is provided for this breach.

Any Person s.83 Local Authority

Fail to notify change of name or address on personal licence

Fine up to £500

If you hold a personal licence (for example, an alcohol personal licence) you must inform the licensing authority as soon as reasonably practicable when your name or address changes, and send the licence or explain why you cannot. Failing to do so without a reasonable excuse is a criminal offence. On conviction in the Magistrates' Court you can be fined up to £500.

Any Person s.127 Local Authority

Fail to notify court of personal licence

Fine up to £500

If you hold a personal licence (e.g., an alcohol licence) and are charged with a relevant offence, you must produce the licence or tell the court about it at your first appearance and again at your next appearance, and you must also inform the court of any notifiable events (such as surrender or revocation). Failing to do so without a reasonable excuse is a criminal offence. On a summary conviction you face a fine of up to £500.

Any Person s.128 Local Authority

Fail to notify designated premises supervisor of licence decision

Fine up to £1,000

If your business holds a premises licence and you are told the licence decision (granted or refused), you must promptly inform the designated premises supervisor of the outcome. Failing to do so without a reasonable excuse is a criminal offence. On summary conviction you could be fined up to £1,000.

Any Person s.40 Local Authority

Fail to notify designated premises supervisor of licence transfer

Fine up to £1,000

If you apply to transfer a premises licence and you are not the same person as the designated premises supervisor, you must promptly tell that supervisor about the application and, if the transfer is approved, about the transfer itself. Failing to do so without a reasonable excuse is a criminal offence. On conviction you face a fine of up to £1,000, dealt with in the Magistrates’ Court.

Any Person s.46 Local Authority

Fail to notify licence authority of name or address change

Fine up to £500

If you hold a premises licence (or you are the designated premises supervisor) you must tell the local licensing authority as soon as reasonably practicable when your name or address (or the supervisor’s name or address) changes. Failing to do so without a reasonable excuse is a criminal offence. On conviction you face a fine of up to £500, dealt with in the magistrates’ court.

Any Person s.33 Local Authority

Fail to notify licensing authority of convictions or immigration penalties

Fine up to £2,500

If you are applying for a personal licence and you are convicted of a relevant offence, a foreign offence, or are required to pay an immigration penalty while your application is pending, you must tell the licensing authority as soon as reasonably practicable. Failing to do so is an offence. On conviction you face a fine of up to £2,500, dealt with in the magistrates' court.

Any Person s.123 Local Authority

Fail to notify licensing authority of convictions or penalties

Fine up to £500

If you hold a personal licence (for example a premises or club licence) and you are convicted of a relevant offence, a foreign offence, or are required to pay an immigration penalty, you must tell the licensing authority about the conviction or penalty as soon as reasonably practicable and send them your licence. Failing to do so without a reasonable excuse is a criminal offence. On conviction you face a fine up to level 2 on the standard scale (maximum £500) and no jail term.

Any Person s.132 Local Authority

Fail to notify supervisor of interim authority notice

Fine up to £1,000

If you become the holder of a premises licence (for example after the previous holder dies) you must immediately tell the designated premises supervisor about the interim authority notice, unless you are that supervisor yourself. Failing to do so without a reasonable excuse is a criminal offence. On conviction in the Magistrates' Court you face a fine of up to £1,000.

Any Person s.49 Local Authority

Fail to produce club premises certificate on demand

Fine up to £500

If a licensing authority asks a club’s secretary to provide the club premises certificate within 14 days and the secretary does not do so (without a reasonable excuse), the club commits a criminal offence. On conviction in the magistrates’ court the business faces a fine of up to £500.

Any Person s.93 Local Authority

Fail to produce licence when requested

Fine up to £500

If a licensing authority asks you to show your personal licence and you do not provide it within 14 days, you commit an offence. The failure must be without a reasonable excuse. On conviction you face a fine of up to £500, dealt with in the magistrates' court.

Any Person s.134 Local Authority

Fail to produce personal licence when requested

Fine up to £500

If you hold a personal licence for supplying alcohol and you are on the premises when a police constable or an authorised licensing officer asks you to show that licence, you must produce it unless you have a reasonable excuse. Refusing to do so is a criminal offence. On conviction you can be fined up to £500, dealt with in the magistrates' court.

Any Person s.135 Local Authority

Fail to provide premises licence on request

Fine up to £500

If a licensing authority asks you to show the premises licence (or the relevant part of it) and you do not supply it within 14 days – and you have no reasonable excuse – you have committed an offence. On conviction you will be fined up to £500 and the case will be dealt with in the Magistrates’ Court.

Any Person s.56 Local Authority

Keep alcohol on premises for unauthorised sale

Fine up to £500

If you have alcohol on your premises and intend to sell it but you do not hold a licence that authorises that activity, you commit an offence under the Licensing Act 2003. On conviction in the Magistrates' Court you can be fined up to £500 and the court may order the alcohol and its containers to be forfeited and destroyed.

Any Person s.138 Local Authority

Keep premises open after a disorder closure order

Fine up to £1,000

If a magistrates’ court orders a premises to be closed because of disorder, the manager, licence holder, designated premises supervisor or the person using the premises must keep it shut. Keeping the premises open knowingly during the order is an offence. On conviction in the magistrates’ court you face a fine of up to £1,000.

Any Person s.160 Local Authority

Keep smuggled goods on licensed premises

Fine up to £1,000

If you (for example, a licence holder, designated supervisor, club officer, event organiser or staff who can stop goods being kept) knowingly keep or allow smuggled goods – goods imported without duty – to be stored on your premises, you commit a criminal offence. On conviction you face a fine of up to £1,000 and the court can order the goods (and any containers) to be destroyed or otherwise dealt with.

Director/Officer s.144 Local Authority

Make false statement on licensing application

Unlimited fine

If you knowingly or recklessly give a false statement when applying for a premises licence, club premises certificate, provisional statement, temporary event notice, personal licence or any other licensing notice, you commit an offence. On conviction in the magistrates’ court you face an unlimited fine. The offence applies to anyone who submits the false information, not just licence holders.

Any Person s.158 Local Authority

Obstruct a licensing inspection of club premises

Fine up to £500

If a club (or any person) prevents an authorised inspector or police officer from entering and inspecting the premises when a club premises certificate is being applied for, a criminal offence is committed. On conviction in the Magistrates' Court you face a fine of up to £500. There is no custodial sentence for this offence.

Any Person s.96 Local Authority

Obstruct a licensing or immigration officer

Fine up to £1,000

If you deliberately block or interfere with a police constable, authorised licensing officer or immigration officer who is entering your premises to check a licensable activity, you commit a criminal offence. On conviction in the magistrates' court you face a fine of up to £1,000. No imprisonment is provided for this offence.

Any Person s.179 Local Authority

Obstruct an authorised officer during a temporary event notice inspection

Fine up to £500

If you deliberately block or interfere with a police constable or licensing authority officer who is trying to enter premises to check a temporary event notice, you commit a criminal offence. On conviction you will be tried in the magistrates' court and face a fine of up to £500. No prison term is provided for this offence.

Any Person s.108 Local Authority

Obstruct inspection of premises before licence grant

Fine up to £500

Before a licence is granted, a police constable or authorised licensing officer may enter your premises at a reasonable time to assess its impact on the licensing objectives. If you deliberately block or interfere with that inspection, you commit a criminal offence. On conviction in the Magistrates' Court you face a fine of up to £500; no imprisonment is provided for this offence.

Any Person s.59 Local Authority

Obtain alcohol for a drunk person on licensed premises

Fine up to £1,000

If you knowingly get or try to get alcohol for someone who is already drunk on your licensed premises, you are committing a criminal offence. A conviction brings a summary‑only penalty – a fine of up to £1,000, heard in the Magistrates' Court. No prison term is attached to this offence.

Any Person s.142 Local Authority

Open premises contrary to a closure order

3 months imprisonment

If you allow a premises that is subject to a closure order to remain open, without a reasonable excuse, you commit a criminal offence. This applies when a licensing authority has made a decision under section 167 (e.g., to revoke the licence) and the premises are still closed by order. On conviction you face up to three months’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both.

Any Person s.168 Local Authority

Sell alcohol from a moving vehicle

3 months imprisonment

If you sell alcohol from a vehicle that is not parked – even temporarily – you are committing a criminal offence. A conviction in the magistrates' court can result in up to three months' imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both.

Any Person s.156 Local Authority

Sell alcohol to a drunk person

Fine up to £1,000

If you or anyone with authority to sell alcohol on your premises (staff, licence holder, designated supervisor, club officer or event organiser) knowingly sells, attempts to sell or allows the sale of alcohol to someone who is already drunk, you commit a criminal offence. On conviction you will be fined up to £1,000 on summary conviction (Magistrates' Court). No prison term is attached to this offence.

Any Person s.141 Local Authority

Sell alcohol to under‑18s

Unlimited fine

If you sell or supply alcohol to anyone under 18 – whether directly, on behalf of a club, or to a club member who then gives it to a child – you commit a criminal offence. The offence is tried in the Magistrates' Court and, on conviction, you face an unlimited fine.

Any Person s.146 Local Authority

Sell or allow alcohol in breach of a train prohibition order

3 months imprisonment

If a magistrates' court orders that alcohol must not be sold on a particular train, station or route, and you knowingly sell alcohol or let others sell it anyway, you are committing an offence. On conviction in the magistrates' court you can be sentenced to up to three months in prison, an unlimited fine, or both.

Any Person s.157 Local Authority

Send a child to obtain alcohol

Unlimited fine

If you knowingly send anyone under 18 to get alcohol from your licensed premises or club, you commit a criminal offence. The only exceptions are when the child works delivering alcohol or when a police constable or weights‑and‑measures inspector does it as part of their duties. A conviction results in an unlimited fine imposed by the magistrates’ court.

Any Person s.152 Local Authority

Supply or sell alcohol to a convicted habitual drunkard

Fine up to £500

If a court has declared a person a habitual drunkard and ordered a notice to be sent to the police, you must not sell, supply, or allow the sale of alcohol to that person for three years. The same person must also not buy or attempt to buy alcohol during that period. Breaching this rule is an offence.

Any Person Schedule 6 Local Authority

Registration and licensing 1

Ensure club premises certificate meets prescribed form

If you run a club you need a club premises licence. The licence certificate and its summary must follow the form set out in the law and must show the club name and registered address, the premises address, a plan of the premises, the activities that are allowed, and any conditions attached. Failure to provide this means your licence can be refused or revoked.

Any Person s.78 Local Authority When applying for or holding a club premises licence

Reporting and filing 1

Respond to review applications for your club premises certificate

If you run a club that holds a club premises certificate and you receive a formal notice that someone has applied to review that certificate, you must read the notice and, if you wish, submit any comments or objections within the time‑frame set out in the notice. Failure to do so means your views may not be considered.

Any Person s.87 Local Authority You receive a notice of an application to review your club premises …

Penalties for non-compliance

47 penalties under this legislation. 5 can result in imprisonment. 15 carry an unlimited fine.

Prison risk

Carry out licensable activity without authorisation

Unlimited fine and/or 6 months imprisonment

Summary only s.136 Penalises: Carry out licensable activity without authorisation
Prison risk

Expose alcohol for unauthorised sale

Unlimited fine and/or 6 months imprisonment

Summary only s.137 Penalises: Expose alcohol for unauthorised sale
Prison risk

Open premises contrary to a closure order

Unlimited fine and/or 3 months imprisonment

Summary only s.168 Penalises: Open premises contrary to a closure order
Prison risk

Sell alcohol from a moving vehicle

Unlimited fine and/or 3 months imprisonment

Summary only s.156 Penalises: Sell alcohol from a moving vehicle
Prison risk

Sell or allow alcohol in breach of a train prohibition order

Unlimited fine and/or 3 months imprisonment

Summary only s.157 Penalises: Sell or allow alcohol in breach of a …
Unlimited fine

Manage alcohol purchasing committee and prohibit commissions

Unlimited fine

s.64 Penalises: Manage alcohol purchasing committee and prohibit commissions
Unlimited fine

Supply alcohol off‑premises only under certificate conditions

Unlimited fine

s.73 Penalises: Supply alcohol off‑premises only under certificate conditions
Unlimited fine

Allow sale of alcohol to under‑18s

Unlimited fine

Summary only s.147 Penalises: Allow sale of alcohol to under‑18s
Unlimited fine

Allow under‑18s to consume alcohol on licensed premises

Unlimited fine

Summary only s.150 Penalises: Allow under‑18s to consume alcohol on licensed premises
Unlimited fine

Be liable for a corporate licensing offence if you consent, connive or neglect

Unlimited fine

s.187 Penalises: Be liable for a corporate licensing offence if …
Unlimited fine

Buy or supply alcohol to persons under 18

Unlimited fine

Summary only s.149 Penalises: Buy or supply alcohol to persons under 18
Unlimited fine

Deliver alcohol to under‑18s

Unlimited fine

Summary only s.151 Penalises: Deliver alcohol to under‑18s
Unlimited fine

Make false statement on licensing application

Unlimited fine

Summary only s.158 Penalises: Make false statement on licensing application
Unlimited fine

Sell alcohol to under‑18s

Unlimited fine

Summary only s.146 Penalises: Sell alcohol to under‑18s
Unlimited fine

Send a child to obtain alcohol

Unlimited fine

Summary only s.152 Penalises: Send a child to obtain alcohol
Fine

Fail to notify licensing authority of convictions or immigration penalties

Fine up to £2,500

Summary only s.123 Penalises: Fail to notify licensing authority of convictions or …
Fine

Allow disorderly conduct on licensed premises

Fine up to £1,000

Summary only s.140 Penalises: Allow disorderly conduct on licensed premises
Fine

Allow unaccompanied child on alcohol premises

Fine up to £1,000

Summary only s.145 Penalises: Allow unaccompanied child on alcohol premises
Fine

Fail to comply with direction to provide premises licence

Fine up to £1,000

Summary only s.41 Penalises: Fail to comply with direction to provide premises …
Fine

Fail to notify designated premises supervisor of licence decision

Fine up to £1,000

Summary only s.40 Penalises: Fail to notify designated premises supervisor of licence …
Fine

Fail to notify designated premises supervisor of licence transfer

Fine up to £1,000

Summary only s.46 Penalises: Fail to notify designated premises supervisor of licence …
Fine

Fail to notify supervisor of interim authority notice

Fine up to £1,000

Summary only s.49 Penalises: Fail to notify supervisor of interim authority notice
Fine

Keep premises open after a disorder closure order

Fine up to £1,000

Summary only s.160 Penalises: Keep premises open after a disorder closure order
Fine

Keep smuggled goods on licensed premises

Fine up to £1,000

Summary only s.144 Penalises: Keep smuggled goods on licensed premises
Fine

Obstruct a licensing or immigration officer

Fine up to £1,000

Summary only s.179 Penalises: Obstruct a licensing or immigration officer
Fine

Obtain alcohol for a drunk person on licensed premises

Fine up to £1,000

Summary only s.142 Penalises: Obtain alcohol for a drunk person on licensed …
Fine

Sell alcohol to a drunk person

Fine up to £1,000

Summary only s.141 Penalises: Sell alcohol to a drunk person
Fine

Fail to keep or display temporary event notice

Fine up to £500

Summary only s.109 Penalises: Fail to keep or display temporary event notice
Fine

Fail to keep or produce club premises certificate

Fine up to £500

Summary only s.94 Penalises: Fail to keep or produce club premises certificate
Fine

Fail to keep or produce premises licence

Fine up to £500

Summary only s.57 Penalises: Fail to keep or produce premises licence
Fine

Fail to notify change of club name or rules

Fine up to £500

Summary only s.82 Penalises: Fail to notify change of club name or …
Fine

Fail to notify change of club's registered address

Fine up to £500

Summary only s.83 Penalises: Fail to notify change of club's registered address
Fine

Fail to notify change of name or address on personal licence

Fine up to £500

Summary only s.127 Penalises: Fail to notify change of name or address …
Fine

Fail to notify court of personal licence

Fine up to £500

Summary only s.128 Penalises: Fail to notify court of personal licence
Fine

Fail to notify licence authority of name or address change

Fine up to £500

Summary only s.33 Penalises: Fail to notify licence authority of name or …
Fine

Fail to notify licensing authority of convictions or penalties

Fine up to £500

Summary only s.132 Penalises: Fail to notify licensing authority of convictions or …
Fine

Fail to produce club premises certificate on demand

Fine up to £500

Summary only s.93 Penalises: Fail to produce club premises certificate on demand
Fine

Fail to produce licence when requested

Fine up to £500

Summary only s.134 Penalises: Fail to produce licence when requested
Fine

Fail to produce personal licence when requested

Fine up to £500

Summary only s.135 Penalises: Fail to produce personal licence when requested
Fine

Fail to provide premises licence on request

Fine up to £500

Summary only s.56 Penalises: Fail to provide premises licence on request
Fine

Keep alcohol on premises for unauthorised sale

Fine up to £500

Summary only s.138 Penalises: Keep alcohol on premises for unauthorised sale
Fine

Obstruct a licensing inspection of club premises

Fine up to £500

Summary only s.96 Penalises: Obstruct a licensing inspection of club premises
Fine

Obstruct an authorised officer during a temporary event notice inspection

Fine up to £500

Summary only s.108 Penalises: Obstruct an authorised officer during a temporary event …
Fine

Obstruct inspection of premises before licence grant

Fine up to £500

Summary only s.59 Penalises: Obstruct inspection of premises before licence grant
Fine

Supply or sell alcohol to a convicted habitual drunkard

Fine up to £500

Summary only Schedule 6 Penalises: Supply or sell alcohol to a convicted habitual …
Fine

Allow a child to sell or supply alcohol unsupervised

Fine up to £200

Summary only s.153 Penalises: Allow a child to sell or supply alcohol …
Fine

Fail to leave licensed premises when asked

Fine up to £200

Summary only s.143 Penalises: Fail to leave licensed premises when asked

Practical guidance

Our guides explain how to comply with the requirements above.

Sector-Specific 32

Host weddings and events on your farm

How to set up and run a farm wedding or event venue. Covers planning permission, licensing, fire safety, …

Late Night Levy for licensed premises

Understanding the Late Night Levy for alcohol premises trading between midnight and 6am, including rates by rateable value, …

Brewery licensing and compliance

Complete licensing, registration, and duty requirements for operating a brewery in the UK, including APPA registration, food safety, …

Food and drink business licensing and compliance

Navigate the complete range of licences, registrations, certifications, and consents required for food and drink businesses across production, …

Food and drink regulations and traceability

Comply with HFSS labelling, traceability requirements, alcohol duty obligations, packaging regulations, waste disposal, and animal by-products rules.

Gambling licensing requirements for UK businesses

How to obtain gambling licences from the Gambling Commission, including operating, personal and premises licences. Covers responsible gambling …

Broadcast licensing and Ofcom regulation

How to obtain broadcast licences from Ofcom for television and radio services in the UK. Includes licence types, …

Retail sector market overview

UK retail market statistics, ecommerce growth trends, and investment opportunities for retailers operating in Great Britain.

Selling knives and bladed articles

A practical compliance guide for retailers selling knives, blades, and sharp-pointed articles. Covers age verification requirements, prohibited weapons, …

Obtain music licences for your business premises

How to obtain and maintain the correct music licences when playing recorded or live music in your business …

Apply for entertainment and alcohol premises licence

Complete guide to applying for a premises licence for entertainment, alcohol sales, or late-night refreshment in England and …

Age-Restricted Products

Understand legal requirements for selling age-restricted products including alcohol, tobacco, and knives.

Hospitality sector market overview

Market size, growth trends, investment opportunities, and key statistics for the UK hospitality sector including employment, business counts, …

Alcohol licensing requirements

How to obtain a premises licence to sell alcohol in England and Wales, including application process, fees, designated …

Music and entertainment licensing

TheMusicLicence requirements for playing background music, hosting live performances, and DJ events in hospitality venues including costs, what's …

Specialist hospitality licences and permissions

Gaming machines, civil wedding venues, tourist accommodation registration, HMO licensing and other specialist permissions for hospitality businesses with …

Premises licence (alcohol)

Apply for a premises licence to sell or supply alcohol from your business in England and Wales. Covers …

Personal licence (alcohol)

Obtain a personal licence to authorise and supervise alcohol sales in England and Wales. Covers the accredited qualification, …

Temporary Event Notice (TEN)

Give a Temporary Event Notice to your local authority to carry out licensable activities at a temporary event. …

Late night refreshment licence

Understand when you need authorisation to supply hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am. Covers what counts …

Premises licence: how to apply

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

Apply for a club premises certificate

How qualifying clubs (social clubs, sports clubs, working men's clubs) can apply for a certificate to supply alcohol …

Licence reviews and enforcement action

How premises licence reviews work, who can trigger them, what happens at a hearing, possible outcomes including suspension …

Responsible alcohol retailing

Checklist of mandatory conditions and best practices for responsible alcohol retailing — Challenge 25, refusal logs, staff training, …

Alcohol licensing in Scotland

How alcohol licensing works in Scotland under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 — five licensing objectives, Licensing Boards, …

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, …

Register as an alcohol wholesaler (AWRS)

If you sell alcohol to other businesses, you must register under the Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme (AWRS) with …

Vary your premises licence

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

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 …

Managing noise from hospitality premises

How to prevent and manage noise complaints from hospitality premises including statutory nuisance law, planning conditions, licensing conditions, …

Hospitality annual compliance checklist

Annual compliance checklist for hospitality businesses covering all key regulatory obligations: licence renewals, fire safety reviews, food safety …

Minimum unit pricing compliance for alcohol retailers

Sections and provisions

251 classified provisions from this legislation.

Duties 26

  • s.4 General duties of licensing authorities
  • s.19 Mandatory conditions where licence authorises supply of alcohol
  • s.20 Mandatory condition: exhibition of films film
  • s.24 Form of licence and summary
  • s.25 Theft, loss, etc. of premises licence or summary
  • s.31 Determination of application for provisional statement it
  • s.39 Determination of section 37 application
  • s.41C Supplementary provision about determinations under section 41B
  • s.43 Circumstances in which transfer application given interim effect it
  • s.45 Notification of determination under section 44
  • s.51 Application for review of premises licence other person may apply
  • s.64 The additional conditions for the supply of alcohol person
  • s.73 Certificate authorising supply of alcohol for consumption off the premises
  • s.73A Mandatory conditions relating to the supply of alcohol to members or guests
  • s.74 Mandatory condition: exhibition of films film
  • s.78 Form of certificate and summary
  • s.86C Supplementary provision about determinations under section 86B
  • s.87 Application for review of club premises certificate other person may apply
  • s.90 Club ceasing to be a qualifying club documents relating
  • s.104A Counter notice following objection to late notice
  • ... and 6 more duties

Offences and penalties 49

  • Schedule 4 Personal licence: relevant offences
  • Schedule 6 Minor and consequential amendments
  • s.33 Notification of change of name or address
  • s.40 Duty of applicant following determination under section 39
  • s.41 Request to be removed as designated premises supervisor
  • s.46 Duty to notify designated premises supervisor of transfer
  • s.49 Supplementary provision about interim authority notices
  • s.56 Licensing authority’s duty to update licence document
  • s.57 Duty to keep and produce licence etc.
  • s.59 Inspection of premises before grant of licence etc.
  • s.82 Notification of change of name or alteration of rules of club
  • s.83 Change of relevant registered address of club
  • s.93 Licensing authority’s duty to update club premises certificate
  • s.94 Duty to keep and produce certificate etc.
  • s.96 Inspection of premises before grant of certificate etc.
  • s.108 Right of entry where temporary event notice given
  • s.109 Duty to keep and produce temporary event notice and statement of conditions
  • s.123 Duty to notify licensing authority of convictions etc during application period
  • s.127 Duty to notify change of name or address
  • s.128 Duty to notify court of personal licence
  • ... and 29 more offences and penalties

Powers 39

  • s.8 Requirement to keep a register
  • s.9 Proceedings of licensing committee
  • s.10 Sub-delegation of functions by licensing committee etc.
  • s.16 Applicant for premises licence
  • s.17 Application for premises licence
  • s.19A Power of Secretary of State to impose section 19(4) mandatory conditions
  • s.41A Application for minor variation of premises licence
  • s.53A Summary reviews on application of senior police officer
  • s.53D Interim steps pending section 53C decision coming into effect
  • s.53 Supplementary provision about review
  • s.54 Form etc. of applications and notices under Part 3
  • s.55 Fees
  • s.71 Application for club premises certificate
  • s.73B Power of Secretary of State to impose section 73A mandatory conditions
  • s.79 Theft, loss, etc. of certificate or summary
  • s.84 Application to vary club premises certificate
  • s.86A Application for minor variation of club premises certificate
  • s.89 Supplementary provision about review
  • s.91 Form etc. of applications and notices under Part 4
  • s.92 Fees
  • ... and 19 more powers

Definitions 57

  • s.1 Licensable activities and qualifying club activities
  • Schedule 2 Provision of late night refreshment registered charity
  • s.2 Authorisation for licensable activities and qualifying club activities authorisation
  • s.3 Licensing authorities licensing authority
  • s.5A Cumulative impact assessments relevant authorisations relevant period
  • Schedule 8 Transitional provision etc. existing licence first appointed day second appointed day
  • s.11 Premises licence premises licence
  • s.12 The relevant licensing authority
  • s.13 Authorised persons ... and responsible authorities Authorised person Responsible authority statutory function
  • s.14 Meaning of “supply of alcohol” supply of alcohol
  • s.15 Meaning of “designated premises supervisor”
  • s.18 Determination of application for premises licence relevant representations
  • s.21 Mandatory condition: door supervision security activity
  • s.23 Grant or rejection of application relevant representations
  • s.27 Death, incapacity, insolvency etc. of licence holder
  • s.29 Application for a provisional statement where premises being built, etc. provisional statement
  • s.36 Supplementary provision about determinations under section 35 relevant representations
  • s.41B Determination of application under section 41A
  • s.58 Provision supplementary to section 57 notary
  • s.60 Club premises certificate club premises certificate
  • ... and 37 more definitions

Exemptions 23

  • s.5 Statement of licensing policy
  • s.6 Licensing committees
  • s.7 Exercise and delegation of functions
  • s.34 Application to vary premises licence
  • s.37 Application to vary licence to specify individual as premises supervisor
  • s.42 Application for transfer of premises licence
  • s.44 Determination of transfer application
  • s.48 Cancellation of interim authority notice following ... objections
  • s.55A Suspension of premises licence for failing to pay annual fee
  • s.92A Suspension of club premises certificate for failing to pay annual fee
  • s.102 Acknowledgement of notice
  • s.104 Objection to notice by a relevant person
  • s.105 Counter notice following ... objection to standard temporary event notice
  • s.106 Modification of standard temporary event notice following ... objection
  • s.132A Convictions etc of licence-holder: powers of licensing authority
  • s.139 Defence of due diligence
  • s.169A Closure notices for persistently selling alcohol to children
  • s.170 Exemption of police from liability for damages
  • s.172 Relaxation of opening hours for special occasions
  • s.172E Exceptions from effect of early morning alcohol restriction order
  • ... and 3 more exemptions