Licensing - Alcohol and Entertainment
The Licensing Act 2003 controls; the sale of alcohol, public entertainments, late night refreshment houses, theatres, cinemas and late night take aways including mobile units.
Click here to view application forms
Click here to view Policies and Guidance Notes
More information can be found on the website for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Authorisation for sales of alcohol
With premises that are licensed to sell alcohol there will be times when the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) will not be on the premises when alcohol is sold. In these circumstances the Licensing Authority strongly advises that the DPS authorise, in writing, members of staff to sell alcohol. This authorisation can then be kept on the premises and produced to an authorised officer if requested.
The Licensing Authroity has produced two authorisation forms one for the DPS (DPSA/01)and one for the Authorised Staff (ASA/01) which are available to download from the Policies and Guidance link on the right of this page.
Licensing Policy
The District Council has consulted on and published its Licensing Policy. The policy is reviewed regularly to ensure that it is updated and consistent with the licensing objectives. 
Click here to view our Statement of Licensing Policy (135KB - PDF Help)
The District Council is responsible for the licensing of the following activities:
- The sale of alcohol by retail
- The supply of alcohol to club members and their guests
- The provision of regulated entertainment (See definition below)
- The provision of late night refreshment (See definition below)
New Applications
New applications are displayed on this website for 28 days from receipt by the Licensing Authority during which time “Interested Parties” may make representations. Please go to Applications Received to see the current list of applications and to access the guidance on how to make representations and download a representations form.
Temporary Events
Temporary Event Notice (TEN) - for licensable activities for a period of up to 72 hours with up to 499 people. IMPORTANT - A Temporary Notice must be served on the Licensing Authority and the Chief Officer of Police at least TEN working days before the event is to be held. To access the guidance on Temporary Event notices and to download a Temporary Event notice please go to the Temporary Event Notice page of this website. A Full Premises licence will be required if an event exceeds the limits of a TEN.
Reviews of Premises Licences
Premises, which do not operate in an acceptable way in terms of the licensing objectives, may in extreme cases be closed down by the police action or have their scope of operation reduced or the licence revoked by the Licensing Authority.
“Interested Parties” (residents and businesses in the vicinity of the premises) may, in certain circumstances apply for a review of a licence or club certificate that is in force. To access the guidance on how to apply for a review of a licence and to download an application to seek a review please go to the Premises Review page of this website.
The Licensing Objectives
A Premises Licence may authorise the holder of the licence to use their premises for any of the previously listed licensable activities. Operating conditions may be attached to the premises licence to promote the licensing objectives which are:
- The prevention of crime and disorder
- Public safety
- The prevention of public nuisance
- The protection of children from harm
"Regulated entertainment" is defined as any of the following which take place in the presence of an audience for the entertainment of that audience and are provided for members of the public or a section of the public or exclusively for the members of a qualifying club and/or their guests or for consideration and with a view to profit:
- A performance of a play
- An exhibition of a film
- An indoor sporting event
- Boxing or wrestling
- Provision of facilities for making music or for dancing
- A performance of dance
- A performance of live music
- Playing of recorded music
(There are certain exemptions from this definition which are set out in the Act).
“Late night refreshment” is defined under the Act as the supply of hot food or drink to the public or a section of the public on or from any premises whether for the consumption on or off the premises (mobile units included) between 11pm and 5am. This includes takeaways, restaurants and places like garages or service stations that sell hot food.
Further Information
Unless a limited duration is specified in the operating conditions or the licence is revoked, a premises licence will be valid indefinitely with no annual renewal required.
A Club Premises Certificate is defined as for the supply or the sale by retail of alcohol by or on behalf of a club to its members for consumption on the premises where the supply or sale takes place or for the provision of regulated entertainment by the club for its members and guests.
Click here for more information about Club Premises Certificates
A Personal Licence authorises an individual to sell or supply alcohol, or authorise the sale or supply of alcohol, for consumption on or off premises for which a premises licence is in force. A personal licence is valid for 10 years and remains with the issuing authority. Only the Police can object to the issue of a personal licence.
Click here for more information about the new Personal Licence
An applicant for the grant of a premises licence must submit an application form, plans of the premises, a fee, an operating schedule and where alcohol is to be sold - a consent form from a personal licence holder. The operating schedule will include the steps the applicant intends to take to promote the licensing objectives. The applicant must advertise the application and serve notice on the police and other responsible authorities. Applications for the grant of a licence may be subject to representation in which case a hearing may be held to determine the application. Where no representations are received the licence will be granted.
Please note ALL licensing applications at the Council Offices will be dealt with by pre-booked appointment only.
