Premises licences
Premises licence/club premises certificates
A premises licence is required for the sale or supply of alcohol, the provision of hot drink or hot food between 11pm and 5am, or regulated entertainment. There are similar arrangements for clubs.
Applicants for a premises licence or club premises certificate have to advertise their application in the local press and by displaying a pale blue notice at the premises.
To supplement this, we provide a list of recent applications (below). This list may not always be fully up to date, and you should not rely solely on it for information about applications.
Recent applications
Recent applications 
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Regulated entertainment is entertainment provided in the presence of an audience, for the purpose of entertaining that audience. For example:
- the performance of a play
- the showing of a film
- an indoor sporting event
- boxing or wrestling
- a performance of live music
- any playing of recorded music
- a performance of dance
- entertainment of a similar description (such as a circus).
It also includes the provision of entertainment facilities, that is facilities used for:
- making music (for example, a karaoke machine)
- dancing (for example, a dance floor)
- entertainment of a similar description.
The sale or supply of alcohol must be carried out, or authorised by, a person who holds a personal licence, unless in accordance with a Temporary Event Notice.
If alcohol is to be sold or supplied at the premises, the premises licence must include the name of the designated premises supervisor, who must hold a personal licence.
The applicant for a premises licence must send the application form and fee to the council, and send copies of the application form to the responsible authorities (the police, fire authority and certain council services).
The application must include a plan of the premises and an operating schedule describing the proposed activities. The applicant must advertise the application in the local press and on notices displayed at the premises for a period of 28 days.
The responsible authorities and interested parties (people living or working in the vicinity of the premises) have the right to make representations. A licence will be granted if there are no representations.
If any representations are received, the application will be determined by the Licensing Committee. Representations must be relevant to the four licensing objectives:
- the prevention of nuisance
- the prevention of crime and disorder
- the protection of children from harm
- public safety.
Other matters will not be taken into account.
- To make a representation, you must write to the Licensing Team using the contact details opposite
- Please explain how granting the licence would harm one or more of the licensing objectives, and how you would be affected
- Anonymous representations cannot be considered.
The responsible authorities and interested parties have the right to ask the council to review an existing premises licence. The outcome of a review may be suspension, amendment or revocation of the licence.
Guidance on how to make a representation or ask for a review is given at www.culture.gov.uk.
Before asking for a review we suggest that you discuss the matter with the Licensing Team. Interested parties also have the right to take part in a review that is already in progress.
Premises licences last indefinitely and do not need to be renewed. There is however an annual fee.
- The council’s licensing policy (PDF: 116KB).
- Details of the responsible authorities (PDF: 26KB).
- Premises Licence Application Pack, including our Guide to Good Practice at Licensed Premises (PDF: 770KB).
As an alternative to a premises licence, subject to certain limitations, occasional events may be provided in accordance with a Temporary Event Notice.
Your right of appeal
You can appeal against a licence refusal or any conditions to which a licence is subject through a magistrates' court.
Further information
Contact the Department of Culture, Media and Sport for general information about the Licensing Act 2003.
For an application form, further information about how this applies to clubs, how to apply for a licence, or to make a complaint about premises, contact the Licensing Team using the details opposite:
The Licensing Team deals with many of the licences that may be issued by the council. We can provide information and advice about applications, fees, how to apply, whether a licence is needed and how to advertise an application.
We can:
- provide application forms and printed advice
- provide information about existing licences and current applications
- receive representations either in favour of or against a licence application
- deal with requests for a review of a licence in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003
- respond to complaints about licensed premises or premises trading without a licence.
