Who needs a premise licence?

A premise licence is required for buildings or areas that provide licensing activities

• the sale of alcohol;
• the supply of late night refreshments i.e. hot food or drink between the hours of 11pm and 5am (this will include mobile vans);
• the provision of regulated entertainment - which includes the performance of a play, an exhibition of a film, an indoor sporting event, recorded music, live music, a boxing or wrestling entertainment, a performance of dance and the provision for making music or for dancing

How do I apply for a premise licence?

An application for a premises licence must be made to the licensing authority , that is, the authority within whose area the premises is situated.  To make an application you must submit:

• Completed application form
• Plans of the premise
• Fee
• Identity and consent of Designated premises supervisor (if licence includes sale of  alcohol)
• Copies of application to be sent to responsible authorities which will include  police, fire service, environmental health and local planning
• Operating schedule
• Advertise the proposed use or variation on the premise in the prescribed form
• Advertise the proposed use or variation in a newspaper circulating in the vicinity of the premise
  

Responsible authorities and interested parties will be able to make representations against the proposed use or variation applied for.  The period in which representations can be made is 28 days from the day the council receive the application.  If there are no representations the licence will be granted on the 29th day. If there is representation the application will go for a hearing before Newark & Sherwood District Council's Licensing Committee/Panel for a decision within 20 working days after the intial representation period.

What is an operating schedule?

Whilst the precise detail of each will be slightly different the key details on the operating schedule will include:

• The licensable activities to be carried out 
• The proposed hours that the relevant licensable activities are to take place
• The proposed hours that the premises are to be open to the public
• Details of who is to be the designated premises supervisor if the licensable  activities include the supply of alcohol
• Where alcohol is to be supplied, whether the supplies are proposed to be for consumption on and/or off premises
• A statement of the steps the applicant proposes to take to promote the licensing  objectives (for example, the arrangements for door security to prevent crime and  disorder)

What is a Designated Premises Supervisor?

A Designated Premises Supervisor is required if the Premises Licence includes the sale of alcohol. He/she must hold a Personal Licence and is the person specified on the Premises Licence who is responsible for authorising the supply of alcohol. This person must be readily identifiable and will normally be given day-to-day responsibility for running the premises.

Children

Under the Act it will be unlawful to allow any unaccompanied child under the age of 16 to be present on authorised premises which are exclusively or primarily used for supply and consumption of alcohol. This applies to premises operating under a Premises Licence, a Club Premises Certificate or a Temporary Event Notice. In effect, this would apply to most pubs and bars where restaurant and food facilities are not provided as a permanent feature or attraction.

It will also be unlawful to permit children under 16 not accompanied by an adult between midnight and 5 a.m. into any premises supplying alcohol for consumption there. The most obvious examples of these premises would be nightclubs.

Minor Variations

There are four main types of minor variation that can be made :

Any local resident or local business can ask the licensing authority to review your premises licence at any time. A responsible authority such as the police, fire service or environmental health can also ask for a review of your licence where they believe that problems are undermining one of the licensing objectives.  Local authorities must advertise the application and invite representations from responsible authorities and residents. 

• Extending the period for which licence/certificate has effect;
• Varying substantially the premise to which it relates;
• Specifying and individual as the premise supervisor;
• Adding the supply of alcohol as an activity authorised by the licence or certificate;
• Authorising the supply of alcohol between the hours 23.00 and 07.00, or increasing the amount of time on any day during which alcohol may be supplied;
• Removing the requirement for a DPS at a community premise.