Anyone who proposes to carry on a business involving licensable activities will require a Premises Licence.
Briefly, licensable activities are:
- the sale by retail of alcohol
- the supply of alcohol by or on behalf of a club to, or to the order of, a member of the club
- the provision of regulated entertainment
- the provision of late night refreshment between the hours of 11pm and 5am.
- the provision of facilities for making music
- the provision of facilities for dancing
- entertainment of a similar description to the above
Any premises from which alcohol is supplied or sold will require either a premises licence, a club premises certificate or a temporary event notice. There will need to be a designated premises supervisor for the premises if the authorisation is in the form of a premises licence. The Licensing Act abolished standard drinking hours, and applications can be made for the hours required by the operator.
Wholesalers of alcohol now require a premises licence to sell alcohol in wholesale quantities to members of the public. Sales made to other traders for the purposes of their trade will not be a licensable activity. Similarly, sales made to holders of premises licences, club premises certificates or personal licences will not be a licensable activity if the sale is for the purposes authorised by the premises licence or for the purposes of the qualifying club. Also exempt will be when alcohol is sold wholesale to premises users operating under a temporary event notice. It is advisable to check with the licensing authority if the sale is a licensable activity and to avoid any potential problems.
Members clubs that qualify may apply for registration. There are conditions that have to be met for such registration and there are restrictions on the licensed activities which can only be provided for members.
When a fully completed and correct application is received and where no relevant representations are made by responsible authorities or interested parties, the licensing authority must grant the licence application subject only to the mandatory conditions and such other conditions as are consistent with the operating schedule.
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It is advisable to consult with these documents prior to making an application.