Premises licences

 
 

How do you apply?

How do you apply for a premises licence?

Westminster's Licensing Service has put together an application pack to help applicants with their application.

These are the key parts of your application:

  • Completed application form
  • Fee
  • A plan of the licensed area (scale 1:100)(see below)

Also, in the event that you will be selling or supplying alcohol:

  • A consent form from the person whom the applicant wishes to be the Premises Supervisor

What information do you need to include on your application form?

Your application should be as detailed as possible, telling us about you, your premises and the activities you plan to carry out. It should also tell us what measures you intend to put in place to promote the licensing objectives.

What are the licensing objectives?

  • Prevention of Crime and Disorder
  • Public Safety
  • Prevention of Public Nuisance
  • Protection of Children from Harm

Who can you speak to for advice on promoting the licensing objectives?

Advice on promoting those objectives is available in the policies supporting each of the licensing objectives section of our licensing policy.

Expect advice is also available from the responsible authorities who will be assessing your application.

When you are applying to make a variation to your existing licence(s) – new activities, new operating hours etc., - then you will need to advertise your application by putting a notice or notices on the premises, and by placing an advertisement in a local newspaper. Your application may then be subject to representations from all of the responsible authorities and interested parties.

As well as looking carefully at what measures you intend to put in place to promote the licensing objectives; responsible authorities will be very useful contacts when you need help and expert guidance to fill out this part of your form.

We would also recommend that you speak to ‘interested parties’, that is local residents and local businesses to get their input on what you are planning to do and how you plan to promote the licensing objectives. In doing so, you can look to tackle any concerns raised by ‘interested parties’ in your operating schedule.

Who are the responsible authorities?

Responsible authorities have responsibility for assessing your application and making representations. Once granted, they can also request a review of your licence. A list of the responsible authorities can be downloaded, they are:

  • The Chief Officer of Police
  • London Fire & Emergency Planning Authority
  • Community Protection (Environmental Health; Health & Safety; Weights and Measures)
  • The Planning Authority
  • Area Child Protection Committee
  • The Navigation Authority (for vessels not permanently moored)

Who are the interested parties?

  • Local residents / residents associations
  • Local businesses / trade groups

in the vicinity of the licensed premises.

What is a representation?

A representation is a statement of information relating to the whole of your application or to part of it. For example, if it was felt you were not putting sufficient control measures in place to prevent your customers from disturbing local residents, then any one of the seven responsible authorities, or any interested parties, could make a representation.

When can a representation be made?

Representations must be made within 20 working days of receipt of your application.

Who can make a representation?

Where there is a new application, for example, a takeaway/late-night café or a new bar or where premises are applying to change the way they operate their business (a variation), any of the responsible authorities or interested parties can make a representation.

How do you complete the application form?

When you come to fill out your application, please note there are guidelines at the back of each form.

Please note: If your application is found to be incomplete, or is submitted without a fee or a plan, it will be returned to you for further information. Responsible authorities and interested parties will have 20 days to make representations from the time that the application is made valid.

What information do you need to include in the plan of your premises?

The plan must show, wherever relevant:

  • The boundaries and walls of the building
  • The location of points of access and egress, and any separate escape routes
  • The parts of the premises used for each different licensable activity
  • The parts of the premises used for the consumption of alcohol
  • Structures or objects which may impact on the ability of people on the premises to use exists or escape routes
  • Location and heights of stages or other raised areas
  • Location of steps, stairs, elevators or lifts
  • Location of public conveniences
  • Location of fire safety of other safety equipment
  • Location of kitchen

Where can you find out the non-domestic rateable value of your premises?

You can find out your non-domestic rateable value (NDRV) through the Valuation Office Agency. They have a web-based search facility at www.voa.gov.uk Please note: We advise that you search by inserting Westminster in the first search field (rather than the post code) and then the street and any number in the second search field.

For further information you can visit their website or call their enquiry help line on 0845 602 1507.

Do you need to advertise your application?

If you are making a new application (in other words you currently do not have a licence to carry out a licensable activity) or you are applying to vary the conditions of an existing licence or licences, then you must advertise.

You must do this by displaying a notice for a period of no less than 28 consecutive days starting on the day after the day on which the application was given to the relevant licensing authority. The notice must be:

(i)

  • Of a size equal or larger than A4
  • Of a pale blue colour
  • Printed legibly in black ink or typed in black in a font of a size equal to or larger than 16 point

(ii)

In all cases, prominently at or on the premises to which the application relates where it can be conveniently read from the exterior of the premises and in the case of premises covering an area of more than 50 metres square, a further notice in the same form and subject to the same requirements every 50 metres along the external perimeter of the premises abutting any highway.

You must also advertise by publishing a notice:

  1. in a local newspaper
  2. on at least one occasion during the period of ten working days starting on the day after the day on which the application was given to the relevant licensing authority.

What do you need to include on your advertisement?

  1. Both notices must contain a statement of the relevant licensable activities, which it is proposed will be carried out at or from the premises.
  2. Both notices must also state:
  1. the name of the applicant or club;
  2. the postal address of the premises or club premises, if any, or if there is no postal address for the premises a description of those premises sufficient to enable the location and extent of the premises or club premises to be identified;
  3. the postal address and, where applicable, the worldwide web address where the register of the relevant licensing authority is kept and where and when the record of the application may be inspected;
  4. the date by which an interested party or responsible authority may make representations to the relevant licensing authority;
  5. that representations shall be made in writing;
  6. that it is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application and the maximum fine for which a person is liable on summary conviction for the offence.

For further information please see the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Web site or phone the Licensing Hotline on 020 7641 6514.

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