The Licensing Act 2003 introduced a single licence scheme for licensing premises which covers:
- The sale by retail of alcohol
- The supply of alcohol by clubs
- The provision of regulated entertainment
- The provision of late night refreshment
Under the Licensing Act 2003:
- A Premises Licence is required for any place which offers entertainment, refreshment at night and/or alcohol
- A Personal Licence is required by anyone who wants to sell or supply alcohol for consumption on or off their premises
- Licensees, the Council and other agencies must all work to promote the Licensing Objectives
The Licensing Act also allows permitted temporary activities where an event organiser (the “premises user”) gives a temporary event notice to the Licensing Department and the Environmental Health Department
Licensable activities may only be carried on under, and in accordance with, a Premises Licence, temporary event notice or club premises certificate. If you intend to carry on any of the licensable activities and unless your activity is covered by one of the exemptions in the Act, you need one of these three authorisations. It is an offence to carry on any licensable activity without the relevant authorisation
Further information on the Licensing Act 2003 can be found on the Home Office website.
Licensable Activities
There are four licensable activities contained within the Act:
- The sale of alcohol by retail
- The supply of alcohol by or on behalf of a club to, or to the order of, a member of a club
- The provision of regulated entertainment
- The provision of late night refreshment
Last Updated on Tuesday, December 13, 2022