Alcohol, Entertainment and Refreshments
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The Licensing Act 2003 regulates the sale of alcohol and the provision of entertainment and late night refreshments.
The law is designed to:
- prevent of crime and disorder
- ensure public safety
- prevent of public nuisance
- protect children from harm
Who Needs a Licence?
Anyone who wants to carry out a licensable activity, that is:
- Selling or supplying alcohol; or
- Providing entertainment or entertainment facilities; or
- Providing hot food or drink after 11.00pm
To do any of these activities you will need a Premises Licence. If one of these activities is the sale or supply of alcohol, then you generally also need at least one Personal Licence holder.
Premises requiring a licence include:
- Pubs and night clubs
- Indoor sporting events
- Off licences
- Restaurants that serve alcohol
- Businesses offering hot foods or drinks between 11.00pm and 5.00am (for example takeaways and local shops selling hot pies)
- Hotels and guest houses and other places that serve alcohol
- Private members' clubs and social clubs
- Theatres and amateur dramatic groups
- Cinemas
- Organisers of occasional entertainment
You can take a look at the details of personal and premises licences and club premises certificates through our online Licence Register Search.
What is the Council's Licensing Policy?
We have drawn up Licensing Policy setting out the basis on which decisions under the Licensing Act will be made. We aim to achieve a balance between the commercial interests of the licensed trade and the communities they serve and affect.
Where Can I Find Out More?
The Department of Culture, Media and Sport has issued Guidance under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003. You can also read the full Licensing Act 2003.
Take a look at our full list of guidance documents which covers the rules and procedures that should be followed when applying for the various types of licence.
*There is an update on The Licensing Policy 2008 (page 14 List of Consultees). This new page can be downloaded separately at the bottom of the page entitled List of Responsible Authorities.
For further information please contact our Clean and Green hotline (details at bottom of page).
Downloads
Review Guidance for Interested Parties (1.40 KB)
Application for Premises Licence or Club Premises Notice (14.4 KB)
Rules and regulations regarding the showing of films outside of cinemas (17.7 KB)
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