Premises licences

 
 

What is a premises licence?

What is a premises licence for?

A premises licence authorises the premises in question to carry out licensable activities. Almost any business that does one or more of these three activities will need a premises licence.

Where the sale or supply of alcohol is one of the activities you carry out at your premises, you will also need at least one personal licence – holder. One of whom must be named on the premises licence and is known as the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS).

What are the licensable activities?

  • Sale or supply of alcohol
  • Provision of regulated entertainment
  • Provision of late night refreshment (that is the sale of hot food or drink at any time between 11pm and 5am)

What is regulated entertainment?

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 exhibition 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

How long is a premises licence valid?

A premises licence has effect until the licence is revoked, suspended or surrendered. This means it is not time-limited (unless the applicant specifically requests this for example for a music festival).

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