How to Check a Premises Licence in the UK

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Esther Dsouza

July 20, 20267 min read

If you're wondering whether a pub, restaurant, or any venue is allowed to sell alcohol, you're probably thinking about checking their premises licence. The good news? It's not complicated. In the UK, any place selling alcohol needs a valid licence, and you can usually check this easily online or by contacting your local council. This article will walk you through everything you need to know about checking a premises licence, who holds it, how to find it, and what it means if the licence isn't active.

Empty wine glasses on a table at a licensed event

What Is a Premises Licence?

Simply put, a premises licence is an official permission for a venue to sell alcohol, play music, or stay open late. Without one, a business can't legally sell alcohol. This licence is tied to a specific address, like a particular pub or shop, and it spells out exactly what that place is allowed to do and when.

For example, the licence might say the venue can sell alcohol from 10 AM to 11 PM, or allow live music until midnight. The rules come from laws like the Licensing Act 2003 in England and Wales, or the Licensing Scotland Act 2005 in Scotland.

Having this licence is the legal foundation for a place to operate as a pub, bar, or any licensed venue. You can read more about what is a premises licence in our detailed guide.

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Who Holds the Premises Licence?

The licence is usually held by the business owner or someone they appoint. This person is legally responsible for making sure the venue follows all the rules. In pubs, this person might be called the licensee of a public house.

There's also someone called the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) they are the person who actually manages the day-to-day alcohol sales and must have their own personal licence. The DPS ensures alcohol is sold responsibly and legally.

If you want to learn more about the role of a DPS, read more about what a DPS is. To understand how the personal licence differs from the premises licence, see the difference between a personal licence and a premises licence. Need a personal licence yourself? Here's how to get a personal licence and what to do if you have lost your personal licence.

How Can I Check if a Premises Licence Is Active?

If you want to be sure a venue is legally allowed to sell alcohol, there are a few easy ways to check:

Online: Most local councils publish a public register of licences on their websites. You can search for the venue by name or address to see if its premises licence is valid and what it covers. This is your premises licence check.
At the venue: Licensed premises are required to display a summary of their licence for customers to see.
Contact the council: If you can't find the information online, your local council's licensing department can help.

Many councils also provide tools to check alcohol licences or do a pub licence check for specific locations.

Can I View a Premises Licence Online?

Yes! Viewing premises licences online is simple. Public registers will show:

The licence holder's name.
The types of activities allowed (like selling alcohol or live entertainment).
The licence's operating hours.
Any special conditions.

You can also check licences for other business types, like a restaurant liquor licence or mobile alcohol licence, if that's relevant.

Whether you're a customer, business owner, or event organiser, it's easy to check if a premises is licensed to sell alcohol. Most councils in the UK provide public access to licensing records through an online register. All you need is the business name or address.

To make it easier, here's a simple step-by-step guide that shows you exactly how to check a premises licence online:

Flowchart showing how to check a premises licence online: visit the council website, find the licensing register, search the business name, and view licence details.

How to Find Out Who Holds the Licence

Want to know who holds a premises licence? Local council public registers usually list the licence holder and the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS). This information is important if you want to contact the responsible person or verify their legitimacy.

You can find details about the licensee of a public house or business owner easily this way.

What Happens If a Licence Is Suspended or Revoked?

Sometimes licences are suspended or even revoked if rules aren't followed. This means the venue must stop selling alcohol until the issues are resolved.

Reasons can include:

Breaching licence conditions.
Selling alcohol to underage customers.
Not following health and safety laws.

If your personal licence is suspended, it can also affect your ability to work. Learn more about why your personal licence can be suspended and what it means if you have a lost personal licence.

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Step 1: Book the APLH Personal Licence Training Course

Step 2: Apply for Your Personal Licence

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What to Do If You Find a Licence Is Not Active

If a venue is selling alcohol without an active licence, that's illegal and should be reported. You can:

Contact your local council's licensing team.
Check if the event has a temporary event notice, which allows alcohol sales for short-term events.

How to Make Changes to a Premises Licence

If you want to change a premises licence (like extending opening hours or adding live music), you must apply for a variation through your council.

Interested parties and neighbours can object to changes during the consultation period.
Changes must follow the law and not cause a public nuisance.

For flexible alcohol sales outside a fixed venue, consider a mobile alcohol licence.

What Are the Consequences of Operating Without a Licence?

Selling alcohol without a valid licence can lead to serious problems:

Fines or penalties.
Closure of the business.
Criminal prosecution for those responsible.

It's important to make sure all staff involved in selling alcohol are correctly licensed.

Why Hire a Professional Personal Licence Holder?

Hiring a professional with a personal licence can help your business stay legal and avoid problems. This person knows the rules and can manage the day-to-day alcohol sales responsibly.

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Conclusion

Checking a premises licence is a straightforward and important process. Whether you want to verify a pub, restaurant, or any other venue that is licensed to sell alcohol, councils provide easy access to this information. Remember, operating without a valid licence can lead to fines and legal trouble. If you run a business selling alcohol, make sure you have the right licences in place and hire a qualified personal licence holder. Staying informed protects you and your customers.

FAQs

What is test purchasing alcohol?

Test purchasing is when authorities check if a business sells alcohol to underage or unauthorised buyers. It helps keep venues compliant. Read more about test purchasing alcohol.