Licensing Act 2003

The Licensing Act 2003 amalgamated six existing licensing regimes which covered the sale and supply of alcohol, the provision of regulated entertainment and the provision of late night refreshment and replaced them with a single system of premises licences.

Under the Licensing Act 2003, the following activities will require a licence:

Retail sale of alcohol
Supply of alcohol (for club premises)
Performance of a play
Exhibition of a film
Indoor sporting events
Boxing or wrestling
Performance of live music
Playing of recorded music
Performance of dance
Providing facilities for making music or dancing (providing a dance floor etc)
Supply of hot food or drink between the hours of 23:00 and 05:00

The Act established four statutory licensing objectives that are paramount when any relevant matters are considered. The licensing objectives are:

the prevention of crime and disorder;
public safety;
the prevention of public nuisance; and
the protection of children from harm.

Consultation on Licensing Policy and Cumulative Impact Policy

Consultation Period 1 May 2013 - 31 July 2013

It is now time for the Council to review its Licensing Policy and Cumulative Impact Policies. We are currently required to do this every five years in accordance with the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003. Whilst the underlying principles of the Licensing Policy have remained unchanged, there have been several changes to clarify the impact of the many changes made to the licensing legislation in recent months. The draft Policy is available below.

Please spend time looking at the new draft Policy. We are happy to receive any constructive comments. If you decide to comment on the Policy, you are encouraged to please complete the Questionnaire on line (click here) by 5.00pm on 31 July 2013.

Draft Licensing Policy

Personal Licence - to sell or supply alcohol and/or authorise the sale/supply.
Premises Licence - to use a premises for licensable activities.
Club Premises Certificate - to allow a qualifying club to engage in qualifying club activities as set out in Section 1 of the Act.
Temporary Event Notice - to carry out licensable activities at a temporary event.

Additional Information

Premises Licence Transfer - to transfer a licence from one person to another
Variation of Designated Premises Supervisor - to change the named DPS on a Premises Licence
Reviewing a licence - People who live or work in the vicinity of a licensed premises are able to ask the Council to review the licence if they are being adversely affected by the operation of the licence.
How to object to a Licence - The Licensing Act 2003 allows Responsible Authorities (Police, Environmental Health etc.), and interested parties to make representations (objections) to the Licensing Authority about the granting or variation of a Premises Licence.

Public Register

Every licensing authority is required to publish a public register giving details of applications, licences and certificates issued under the Licensing Act 2003.

Personal and Premises Licences - Register

If the information you require does not appear in the register, please contact the licensing team via the contact details at the bottom of this page to ascertain whether the information you require is available.