The Licencing Act of 2003 mandates licencing for businesses that sell alcohol, host specified forms of entertainment, or serve food and drink past midnight. The council is the local licensing body responsible for issuing premises licences. Pubs, nightclubs, restaurants, cafes, movie theatres, hotels, liquor stores, and 24-hour takeout restaurants are all included in this category.
A designated premises supervisor (DPS) must be appointed for any establishment that sells alcohol under a permit—one who manages the property daily. While the licensee of the premises is typically the same person as the DPS, this is not always the case. The council or other competent authorities (such as the police or fire department) should always be able to reach them if there are issues at the property.
Why does a business’s location matter greatly when applying for a personal licence?
Cumulative effect zones (special stress areas) are another issue you must address when applying for a business licence.
Local governments establish these buffer zones when it becomes clear that allowing other licensed businesses to open in the region would be counterproductive to those goals.
Any premises licence application or substantial changes to an existing licence that receive appropriate representations will likely be denied or granted with stringent conditions, such as fewer hours of operation than requested or prohibitions on using outdoor areas like gardens or the street in front. That is unless you can prove that the arrival of your new company won’t have a net negative effect on the neighbourhood as a whole.
Eligibility Criteria To Apply For a Personal Licence
A personal licence application could come from any one of the following:
- A person who is registered under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 about an independent hospital in England, Chief Police Officer of a force in England and Wales, Recognized club, Charitable organization, Health service body
- The minimum age for applicants is 18, including those from educational institutions and those performing statutory functions under Her Majesty’s prerogative.
About Personal Licence Course
You must complete the Personal Licence course, also known as the APLH or the Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders Qualification (APLH), to obtain a personal licence.
The course aims to equip anyone involved in the sale or supply of alcohol with the knowledge and skills they need to fulfil their legal obligations under the Licensing Act of 2003.
Application Process for Premises Licence Application
Few things you need to do or think about to get your business licence and open for business.
Timetable and events: It is up to you to choose whether you need a licence to sell alcohol for on-premises consumption or takeout/delivery and what hours of operation you need. Entertainment requests, including hours and days preferred, must also be made in advance.
A schedule of your operations: It would be best if you also detailed your strategies for enforcing these licensing goals among your clientele and staff.
The layout of your property: This should include specifics on the sale and consumption of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages and the location of entrance points, restrooms, stairs, and exits. In addition, the places where live music or other forms of entertainment (i.e., those that require a licence) will be provided.
Proof: Your UK work permit or equivalent.
Consent: Your selected premises supervisor must be licensed to give permission.
Application: After gathering the required materials, you can apply for Online Personal Licence Course through the appropriate government portal.
How Does Online Personal Licence Course Work?
Licensing Solution’s online personal licence course has been available to the public for some time. The Award for Personal Licence Holders e-learning course is made available to students, and they are given a manual to reference as they go through the lessons. The lessons can be done in the comfort of one’s home whenever the student has the time.