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.
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.
We’re experts in alcohol licensing and handle every detail for you from forms to council communication. Hurak ensures everything is taken care of, the right way, the first time. Apply for a Premises Licence Licence Let us help you get licensed smoothly and confidently, without the stress.
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.
If you want to be sure a venue is legally allowed to sell alcohol, there are a few easy ways to check:
Many councils also provide tools to check alcohol licences or do a pub licence check for specific locations.
Yes! Viewing premises licences online is simple. Public registers will show:
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:
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.
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:
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.
Hurak makes the whole process easy and stress-free from training to submission. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
Step 1: Book the APLH Personal Licence Training Course
Step 2: Apply for Your Personal Licence
Let us take the hassle out of getting licensed
If a venue is selling alcohol without an active licence, that’s illegal and should be reported. You can:
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.
For flexible alcohol sales outside a fixed venue, consider a mobile alcohol licence.
Selling alcohol without a valid licence can lead to serious problems:
It’s important to make sure all staff involved in selling alcohol are correctly licensed.
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.
Looking to expand your knowledge or train your team? Hurak offers a range of hospitality courses designed to help you stay compliant, confident, and competitive in the industry.
From food safety to customer service, we’ve got you covered.
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.
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.
Usually between 8 AM and 11 PM, but this can vary. See what time you can buy alcohol for details.
Yes, but you need the right licences. Find out more in our guide on selling alcohol online.
You need to complete a recognised course and apply through your council. Check our step-by-step on how to get a personal licence.
The Designated Premises Supervisor manages daily alcohol sales and must hold a personal licence. Learn about what a DPS is.
