| Guvnor

What this means for your business

104 obligations

90 penalties

10 can imprison

41 guides

Enforced by: Local Authority, Trading Standards, Fire and Rescue Authority, Home Office, BBFC
Applies to: United Kingdom
On this page: 104 compliance obligations, 41 practical guides across 2 topics

Read full text on legislation.gov.uk

What you must do

104 compliance obligations under this legislation — 10 can result in imprisonment.

Appointments 1

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

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

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 …

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 You have three months to get the membership back up to 25, otherwise the certificate will be withdrawn.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

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 …

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 …

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

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 …

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

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

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

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

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

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 88

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

If you knowingly let disorderly behaviour occur on a licensed premises you are liable. The offence covers anyone with authority to stop the conduct – licence holders, designated supervisors, staff, club officers or temporary‑event organisers. A conviction results in a summary‑court fine of up to £1,000.

Director/Officer s.140 Local Authority

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

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

If someone who works at a licensed premises – whether paid or unpaid – knows that alcohol is being sold to a person under 18 and does not stop it, they commit an offence. The same applies to a club member or officer who is present and lets the club supply alcohol to anyone under 18. Conviction means a summary‑only court case with an unlimited fine.

Director/Officer s.147 Local Authority

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

If you run or control a premises that supplies alcohol, you must ensure no child under 16 is on the premises alone when it is open for alcohol sales, and especially not between midnight and 5 am. Allowing an unaccompanied child to be present (knowing the premises supplies alcohol) is a criminal offence. On conviction you face a summary‑only fine of up to £1,000.

Any Person s.145 Local Authority

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

If an under‑18 drinks alcohol on a licence‑required premises you run and you knowingly permit it, you commit a criminal offence. The law does allow a defence in limited circumstances (16‑17‑year‑olds drinking beer, wine or cider at a table meal with an adult). If convicted you face an unlimited fine, dealt with in the magistrates' court.

Any Person s.150 Local Authority

If you are the licence holder, designated premises supervisor or any adult authorised to act for them, you must not let anyone under 18 make a sale or supply of alcohol on your premises unless you have explicitly approved it. Doing so is a criminal offence. On conviction you face a fine of up to £200, dealt with in the Magistrates’ Court.

Any Person s.153 Local Authority

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

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

If you run a licensable activity (such as selling alcohol, providing regulated entertainment or operating a club) on premises without a valid premises licence, club premises certificate or temporary event notice, you commit an offence. The same applies if you knowingly let someone else do it. Conviction can lead to up to six months in jail, a fine, or both.

Any Person s.136 Local Authority

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

If anyone who works – paid or unpaid – at a licence‑controlled premises knowingly gives alcohol to a person under 18, or allows someone else to do so, they commit an offence. This also covers alcohol supplied by a club to its members. A conviction results in an unlimited fine dealt with in the Magistrates' Court.

Any Person s.151 Local Authority

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

If you display alcohol for retail sale on premises where that sale is not covered by a valid licence, you are committing an offence. On conviction you can be sentenced to up to six months in prison, fined an unlimited amount, or both, and the court may order the alcohol and its containers to be forfeited or destroyed.

Any Person s.137 Local Authority

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

If you are the designated premises supervisor and you give notice that you want to step down, you must either send the premises licence (or the relevant part) to the licence holder within 48 hours, or explain why you cannot. You must also instruct the licence holder to send that licence (or explanation) to the licensing authority within 14 days. 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.41 Local Authority

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

If you hold a personal licence (for example, an alcohol or entertainment licence) and you are charged with an offence, you must show the licence to the magistrates' court at your first appearance, or tell the court you have it and why you cannot produce it. You must also produce it at your next court appearance and inform the court of any surrender, revocation or other notifiable event. Failing to do so without a reasonable excuse is a criminal offence and can result in a fine.

Any Person s.128 Local Authority

If you run a premises that hosts a temporary licensable activity (for example a live music night or a pop‑up event) you must either display the temporary event notice and any conditions, or keep them in custody and display a notice naming who holds them. Failing to do so without a reasonable excuse is a criminal offence. On conviction in the magistrates' court you face a fine up to £500.

Any Person s.109 Local Authority

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

If you are the club secretary or the person nominated to hold the club premises certificate and you do not keep the certificate (or a certified copy) and any mandatory conditions on the premises, or you do not display a summary of the certificate and your position, or you refuse to show the certificate when asked by a constable or authorised officer, you commit a criminal offence. On conviction you will be fined up to £500 on summary conviction. No prison term is prescribed.

Any Person s.94 Local Authority

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

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

If you hold a premises licence you must keep a copy of the licence (or a certified copy) together with any mandatory conditions on the premises, display the licence summary, and produce the licence when a police officer or authorised inspector asks. Failing to do any of those things without a reasonable excuse is a criminal offence. On conviction you face a fine of up to £500 (level 2 on the standard scale); there is no custodial sentence.

Any Person s.57 Local Authority

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

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

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

If your club holds a club premises certificate you must promptly tell the licensing authority when the address used as the club’s registered address changes, or when you lose the right to use that address. The club’s secretary who does not do this without a reasonable excuse can be prosecuted. On conviction in the magistrates’ court the offence carries a fine of up to £500.

Any Person s.83 Local Authority

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

If you hold a personal licence you must tell the licensing authority as soon as reasonably possible 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 you face a fine of up to £500, dealt with in the magistrates’ court.

Any Person s.127 Local Authority

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

If your premises licence is granted or rejected you must immediately tell the designated premises supervisor of the outcome. 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.40 Local Authority

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

If you apply to transfer a premises licence and you are not the designated premises supervisor, you must immediately tell the 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, tried in the magistrates' court.

Any Person s.46 Local Authority

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

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

If your business holds a premises licence and the name or address of the licence holder or the designated premises supervisor changes, you must tell the relevant licensing authority as soon as reasonably practicable and send a copy of 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 could be fined up to £500.

Any Person s.33 Local Authority

If you hold a personal licence and are convicted of a relevant offence, a foreign offence, or are required to pay an immigration penalty, you must inform the relevant licensing authority as soon as reasonably practicable. Failing to do so without a reasonable excuse creates a criminal offence. On conviction you face a fine of up to £500, tried in the magistrates’ court.

Any Person s.132 Home Office

If you apply for a personal licence and are convicted of a relevant offence (or a foreign offence) or have to pay an immigration penalty during the application period, you must tell the licensing authority as soon as reasonably practicable. Failing to do so without a reasonable excuse 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

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

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

If your club holds (or has applied for) a club premises certificate and you change the club’s name or its rules, you must tell the licensing authority within 28 days. Not doing so makes the club’s secretary liable for a criminal offence. On conviction in the magistrates’ court the maximum penalty is a £500 fine.

Any Person s.82 Local Authority

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

If you become the holder of a premises licence because of an interim authority notice (for example after the previous holder dies) and you are not the designated premises supervisor, you must immediately tell the supervisor (if there is one). 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 but no jail time.

Any Person s.49 Local Authority

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

If a licensing authority asks the club’s secretary to provide the club premises certificate and it is not produced within 14 days (without a reasonable excuse), the club commits an offence. A conviction in the magistrates' court can result in a fine of up to £500. The offence is dealt with as a summary‑only matter.

Any Person s.93 Local Authority

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

If you hold a personal licence for authorising alcohol sales and you are on premises where alcohol is being supplied, a police officer or authorised licensing officer can ask you to show your licence. Refusing to produce it, without a reasonable excuse, is a criminal offence. On conviction you face a fine of up to £500 (level 2 on the standard scale) and the case will be dealt with in the Magistrates' Court.

Any Person s.135 Local Authority

If a licensing authority asks you to show your personal licence and you do not provide it within 14 days (and you have no reasonable excuse), you have committed an offence. On conviction you face a fine of up to £500, dealt with in the magistrates' court. There is no prison term for this offence.

Any Person s.134 Local Authority

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

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

If a licensing authority asks you to show your premises licence (or the relevant part) and you do not supply it within 14 days, you have committed a criminal offence. On conviction you will be fined up to £500 on summary conviction in the magistrates' court.

Any Person s.56 Local Authority

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

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

If a magistrates' court orders a licensed premises or a venue with a temporary event notice to close because of disorder, the manager, licence holder, designated premises supervisor or the event user must keep it shut for the period ordered. knowingly keeping the premises open, or allowing it to stay open, is 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.160 Local Authority

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

If you knowingly keep, or allow others to keep, goods that have been imported without paying duty (or otherwise illegally imported) on any of your licensed premises, you commit an offence. This applies to anyone who has the power to stop the goods being kept – such as the licence holder, designated premises supervisor, staff, club officers or temporary event users. On conviction you face a fine of up to £1,000 and the court can order the goods to be forfeited and destroyed.

Any Person s.144 Local Authority

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

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

If you deliberately block or interfere with a constable or authorised licensing officer who is inspecting your premises before a licence is granted, you commit an offence. On conviction you will be fined up to £500. The case will be dealt with in the Magistrates' Court.

Any Person s.59 Local Authority

If you deliberately prevent an authorised licensing officer from entering your premises when they are exercising the power under a temporary event notice, 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.108 Local Authority

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

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

If a club or anyone acting for the club deliberately prevents an authorised inspector or police constable from entering and inspecting the premises when they have been given proper notice, the club commits a criminal offence. On conviction in the Magistrates' Court you face a fine of up to £500. There is no jail term for this offence.

Any Person s.96 Local Authority

If you deliberately prevent a police constable, authorised licensing officer or immigration officer from entering your premises to check a licensable activity, you commit a criminal offence. Conviction in the magistrates' court can result in a fine of up to £1,000. There is no prison term for this offence.

Any Person s.179 Home Office

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

If you or anyone acting for you on your licensed premises knowingly gets or tries to get alcohol for someone who is already drunk, you are committing an offence. On conviction you will be fined up to £1,000. No prison term is attached to this offence.

Any Person s.142 Local Authority

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

If your company commits an offence under the Licensing Act 2003 and it is shown that a director, manager, secretary or other officer gave consent, helped, or was negligent, that officer is also criminally liable alongside the company. Both the organisation and the officer can be prosecuted and punished for the same breach.

Director/Officer s.187 Local Authority

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

If your premises have been closed by a formal closure order and the licensing authority has decided to revoke the licence, you must keep the premises shut until the appeal period ends or the appeal is decided. Allowing the premises to be open without a reasonable excuse is a criminal offence. On conviction you face up to three months’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both, dealt with in the magistrates' court.

Any Person s.168 Local Authority

If you have alcohol on your premises and intend to sell it when you do not hold a valid licence for that activity, you are committing a criminal offence. 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

If you knowingly or recklessly give false information when making an application for a premises licence, club premises certificate, provisional statement, temporary event notice, personal licence or related notice, you commit a criminal offence. Conviction in the magistrates' court can result in an unlimited fine. The offence applies to any person making the false statement, including business owners and their representatives.

Any Person s.158 Local Authority

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

If you sell alcohol from a vehicle while it is travelling – that is, the vehicle is not parked – 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.156 Local Authority

If you, or any staff or licence holder at your premises, knowingly sell or try to sell alcohol to someone who is already drunk, or let it happen, you commit a criminal offence. On summary conviction in a Magistrates' Court you face a fine of up to £1,000. The offence applies to anyone with authority to sell alcohol on the premises, including licence holders, designated premises supervisors, club officers and temporary event users.

Any Person s.141 Local Authority

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

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

If you sell alcohol to anyone under 18, or supply it on behalf of a club to a minor, you are committing a criminal offence. The offence can be defended only if you took reasonable steps to check the customer's age. On conviction in the magistrates' court you face an unlimited fine.

Any Person s.146 Local Authority

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

If you knowingly sell, try to sell, or permit the sale of alcohol on a train that is covered by a court order banning such sales, you are committing an offence. On conviction in the Magistrates' Court you can be sentenced to up to three months in prison, fined (the fine is unlimited), or both.

Any Person s.157 Local Authority

If a court orders a notice that a person is a habitual drunkard, any licence holder, designated premises supervisor, club‑certificate holder or temporary‑event user who sells, supplies or allows the sale of alcohol to that person on the premises within three years commits an offence. On conviction you face a fine of up to level 2 (£500) on summary conviction.

Any Person Schedule 6 Local Authority

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

If you knowingly send someone under 18 to buy alcohol for you – whether from your own premises or another – you commit a criminal offence. The law applies even if the child is sent to a different venue that then delivers the alcohol. On conviction you will be fined, with the fine amount unlimited.

Any Person s.152 Local Authority

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

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

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 …

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 33

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Food and drink regulations and traceability

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Retail sector market overview

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Late night refreshment licence

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Appoint and manage a Designated Premises Supervisor

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Sections and provisions

251 classified provisions from this legislation.

27 Duties 48 Offences and penalties 40 Powers 55 Definitions 23 Exemptions

Duties 27

s.4 General duties of licensing authorities
s.18 Determination of application for premises licence conditions which
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
... and 7 more duties

Offences and penalties 48

Schedule 4 Personal licence: relevant offences
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
s.129 Forfeiture or suspension of licence on conviction for relevant offence
... and 28 more offences and penalties

Powers 40

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 20 more powers

Definitions 55

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.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
s.62 The general conditions
... and 35 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

🚧 UNDER CONSTRUCTION

What this means for your business

What you must do

Appointments 1

Apply to change premises supervisor on your licence

Management duties 9

Ensure premises licence and summary contain required details

Include any mandatory conditions on your club licence

Maintain the minimum number of members to keep your club licence

Manage alcohol purchasing committee and prohibit commissions

Obtain licence holder consent for immediate licence transfer

Only serve alcohol when a licensed supervisor and staff are present

Restrict admission of children to films on club premises

Restrict children’s admission to film screenings

Supply alcohol off‑premises only under certificate conditions

Notifications 1

Notify the licence holder when you apply to review the licence

Other requirements 3

Apply for a replacement premises licence if lost or damaged

Comply with advertising requirements for provisional statement

Do not share info obtained from a licensing authority

Offences and prohibitions 88

Allow a child to sell or supply alcohol unsupervised

Allow disorderly conduct on licensed premises

Allow disorderly conduct on licensed premises

Allow sale of alcohol to under‑18s

Allow sale of alcohol to under‑18s

Allow unaccompanied child on alcohol premises

Allow unaccompanied child on premises serving alcohol

Allow under‑18s to consume alcohol on licensed premises

Allow under‑18s to consume alcohol on your premises

Allow unsupervised sales of alcohol by under‑18s

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

Buy or supply alcohol to persons under 18

Carry out licensable activity without a licence

Carry out licensable activity without authorisation

Deliver alcohol to children (under 18) from licensed premises

Deliver alcohol to under‑18s

Expose alcohol for unauthorised sale

Expose alcohol for unauthorised sale

Fail to comply with direction to provide licence after resigning as DPS

Fail to comply with direction to provide premises licence

Fail to comply with duty to notify court of personal licence

Fail to display or keep temporary event notice

Fail to keep or display temporary event notice

Fail to keep or produce club premises certificate

Fail to keep or produce club premises certificate

Fail to keep or produce premises licence

Fail to keep or produce premises licence as required

Fail to leave licensed premises when asked

Fail to notify change of club name or rules

Fail to notify change of club's registered address

Fail to notify change of club’s registered address

Fail to notify change of name or address on personal licence

Fail to notify change of name or address on personal licence

Fail to notify court of personal licence

Fail to notify designated premises supervisor after licence decision

Fail to notify designated premises supervisor of licence decision

Fail to notify designated premises supervisor of licence transfer

Fail to notify designated premises supervisor of licence transfer

Fail to notify licence authority of name or address change

Fail to notify licensing authority of change of name or address

Fail to notify licensing authority of conviction or penalty

Fail to notify licensing authority of convictions during licence application

Fail to notify licensing authority of convictions or immigration penalties

Fail to notify licensing authority of convictions or penalties

Fail to notify name or rule change within 28 days

Fail to notify supervisor of interim authority notice

Fail to notify supervisor of interim authority notice

Fail to produce club premises certificate on demand

Fail to produce club premises certificate on request

Fail to produce licence when requested

Fail to produce personal alcohol licence on demand

Fail to produce personal licence on request

Fail to produce personal licence when requested

Fail to provide premises licence on request

Fail to provide premises licence to authority when requested

Keep alcohol on premises for unauthorised sale

Keep premises open after a disorder closure order

Keep premises open despite a closure order

UNDER CONSTRUCTION