Personal Licences

Licence Summary

A Personal Licence is required for induviduals who may be engaged in making and authorising the sale or supply of alcohol.  Not every person retailing alcohol at premises licensed for that purpose will need a personal licence, but every sale or supply of alcohol must be at least authorised by such a licence holder.  The only exception is for community premises in respect of which a successful application has been made to disappy the usual mandatory conditions. 

An applicant for a licence must apply to their local authority where they live.  Only one application can be made at any one time.  A licence will last for a period of 10 years unless it is surrendered or forfeited before the expiry date. 

The following person may apply for a personal licence:

• is aged 18 or over
• holds a licensing qualification accredited by the Secretary of State (or which is certified as if it is such a qualification or is considered equivalent) or is a person as prescribed by the Secretary of State by regulations,
• has not have forfeited a personal licence within five years of their application,
• has not been convicted of any relevant or foregin offence*

*'Relevant offence' refers to the offences listed in the Act that could, on conviction, rule out the grant or renewal of a personal licence to the applicant concerned.  To view the ststutory list of relevant offences click here.

Regulation Summary

A summary of the regulation relating to this licence can be found here

Application Evaluation Process

Applications must be sent to the Licenisng Service, Westminster City Council, Westminster City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QP. 

A copy of the full application must also be served on the Westminster Police Licensing Team, 4th Floor, Westminster City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QP. Please note that the Police copy of the from must be sent in a seperate envelope and not accompany the application form to the Licensing Authority.

Applications must be submitted on the prescribed form with the Disclosure of convictions declaration and be accomapnied by the following:

• the prescribed fee of £37,
• there own Criminal Conviction Certificate or Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Criminal Records Certificate (please note that an criminal record/conviction certificates must be under 1 month old upon the date that the application is received by the authority), and ,

• a passport sized photograph (the photo must meet the same specifications as Passports, Photocard Driving Licences or Identity Cards). 

Will Tacit Consent Apply?

No. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from the local authority within a reasonable period, please contact the council.

Apply for a personal licence

If you wish to apply for a licence you can do so by downloading the required form and sending it to the Council's offices.  To download the required form please click here.

Register

A public register is available online.  If you wish to view the register click here.  You can also view a copy of the register at the Council's Offices during normal office hours.  To make an appointment to view the register please contact the Licensing Service on 020 7641 8548 or alterntively email licensing.vsw1@westminster.gov.uk..

Failed Application Redress

If an application for a licence is refused the failed applicant can appeal.

Appeals are made to the City of Westminster Magistrates' Court, 70 Horseferry Road, London SW1P 2AX within 21 days of notice of the decision.

Consumer Redress

The council operates a complaints procedure.  To view the complaints procedure or to make a complaint relating to the service you have received please click here.

Other Redress

Should any person have a complaint relating to a licensed premises or suspect a premises is operating without the required licence please contact the Council's Licensing Inspectiors on 020 7641 3385 or email premiseslicensinginspectorate@westminster.gov.uk.

Trade Associations

• British Institute of Innkeepers
• Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR)
• Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations (FLVA)