{"id":32251,"date":"2025-05-13T08:39:03","date_gmt":"2025-05-13T08:39:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hurak.com\/blog\/?p=32251"},"modified":"2025-11-27T17:57:50","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T17:57:50","slug":"premises-licence-guide-uk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hurak.com\/blog\/premises-licence-guide-uk","title":{"rendered":"What Is a Premises Licence? A Complete Guide for Businesses"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"32251\" class=\"elementor elementor-32251\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6d8033b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6d8033b\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-dac2283\" data-id=\"dac2283\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-500b3bf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"500b3bf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A premises licence is an essential legal requirement for businesses that want to sell alcohol, provide regulated entertainment, or serve food late at night. Whether you\u2019re opening a pub, a restaurant, or even hosting events, this licence ensures that your activities comply with the law. In this article, we&#8217;ll guide you through everything you need to know about premises licences, how to apply for one, and the responsibilities that come with it.<\/p><p>A premises licence applies to permanent venues like bars, restaurants, shops, or event spaces. It permits certain licensable activities, including the sale of alcohol, the provision of late-night refreshments (hot food or drinks served between 11\u202fpm and 5\u202fam), and regulated entertainment.<\/p><p>Regulated entertainment includes live music, dancing, film screenings, indoor sporting events, and playing recorded music to the public. If your venue offers any of these activities, you\u2019ll likely need a premises licence.<\/p><p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-32495 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/hurak.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/licensed-uk-bar-interior-liquor-display.webp\" alt=\"A dimly lit bar interior in a licensed UK venue, featuring liquor on display\" width=\"1000\" height=\"561\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hurak.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/licensed-uk-bar-interior-liquor-display.webp 1000w, https:\/\/hurak.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/licensed-uk-bar-interior-liquor-display-300x168.webp 300w, https:\/\/hurak.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/licensed-uk-bar-interior-liquor-display-768x431.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-157b41d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"157b41d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><strong>What&#8217;s the Difference Between a Premises Licence and a Personal Licence?<\/strong><\/h2><p>Before we go any further into the process of getting a premises licence, it\u2019s important to know how it differs from a personal licence.<\/p><p>A <strong>premises licence<\/strong> allows businesses to carry out activities like selling alcohol, providing entertainment, or offering late-night food. It relates to the venue itself, such as a pub, bar, restaurant, shop, or event space. If you want to host events or run a business involving alcohol, you will need to apply for this licence.<\/p><p>A <strong>personal licence<\/strong> is different. It\u2019s required for the individual responsible for selling alcohol on the premises. This means that the premises licence relates to the venue, while the <span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><a style=\"color: #3366ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/hurak.com\/blog\/how-to-get-an-alcohol-personal-licence\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">personal licence<\/a> <\/span>applies to the staff member who handles alcohol sales.<\/p><p>Understanding the <span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><a style=\"color: #3366ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/hurak.com\/blog\/differences-between-personal-licence-and-premises-licence\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">differences between personal licence and premises licence<\/a><\/span> is important to staying compliant. This infographic will help you quickly clarify the purpose of both the personal licence and the premises licence<\/p><p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-32496 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/hurak.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/difference-between-premises-licence-and-personal-licence-uk-infographic.webp\" alt=\"Difference between premises licence and personal licence, for selling alcohol in the UK\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hurak.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/difference-between-premises-licence-and-personal-licence-uk-infographic.webp 2048w, https:\/\/hurak.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/difference-between-premises-licence-and-personal-licence-uk-infographic-300x150.webp 300w, https:\/\/hurak.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/difference-between-premises-licence-and-personal-licence-uk-infographic-1024x513.webp 1024w, https:\/\/hurak.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/difference-between-premises-licence-and-personal-licence-uk-infographic-768x385.webp 768w, https:\/\/hurak.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/difference-between-premises-licence-and-personal-licence-uk-infographic-1536x770.webp 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c987b0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8c987b0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><strong>How to apply for a Premises Licence for your business: A step-by-step guide<\/strong> <\/h2><p>If you&#8217;re running a business that sells alcohol, offers live entertainment, or serves food late at night, you&#8217;ll need a premises licence. The idea of applying for one can seem confusing at first, especially if you\u2019re doing it for the first time, but once you understand the steps, it becomes much more manageable. Here\u2019s a simple explanation of the process, what you\u2019ll need, and what to expect at each stage.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bb80567 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bb80567\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Step 1: Start with the Application Form<\/h3><p>Every application begins with filling out the <strong>Premises Licence application form<\/strong>. You can get this form from your local council\u2019s website or through<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"> <a style=\"color: #3366ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/premises-licence-application-forms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gov.uk<\/a>.<\/span>This form asks for basic but essential details, including:<\/p><ul><li>Who you are and what your business does<\/li><li>Where your premises is located<\/li><li>What kind of activities you want to offer, such as selling alcohol, playing music, or serving hot food late at night<\/li><li>The days and hours you plan to do those activities.<\/li><\/ul><p>Some councils let you apply online, while others may ask you to send it by email or post. Either way, the instructions will be on your council\u2019s site.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-074cee6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"074cee6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Step 2: Draw a Plan of Your Premises<\/h3><p>You\u2019ll need to send in a simple floor plan of your venue with your application. Don\u2019t worry, this isn\u2019t a fancy architectural drawing. It just needs to show things like:<\/p><ul><li>Where alcohol will be sold<\/li><li>Seating areas<\/li><li>Toilets, entrances, exits, and emergency exits<\/li><li>The kitchen, if you\u2019re selling food<\/li><\/ul><p>This helps the licensing authority understand how your space is set up and how you plan to operate safely.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8001139 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8001139\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Step 3: Write Your Operating Schedule<\/h3><p>Next, you\u2019ll be asked to describe <strong>how your business will run daily<\/strong>. This is called an &#8220;operating schedule.&#8221;<\/p><p>Here, you\u2019ll outline things like:<\/p><ul><li>Your opening hours<\/li><li>When you\u2019ll sell alcohol or offer entertainment<\/li><li>How you\u2019ll keep the premises safe<\/li><li>How you\u2019ll avoid public nuisance (like noise or crowding)<\/li><\/ul><p>This part shows the council that you understand your responsibilities and have a plan to run things smoothly.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6decc13 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6decc13\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Step 4: Choose a Designated Premises Supervisor<\/h3><p>If you plan to sell alcohol, you must name someone as the <strong>Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS)<\/strong>. This is the person who will be in charge of the premises and make sure alcohol laws are followed.<\/p><p>The DPS needs to hold a <strong>personal licence<\/strong>, which proves they\u2019re trained and legally allowed to take on that role. If you&#8217;re the business owner, you can be the DPS yourself, as long as you have (or apply for) your personal licence.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f78b5e6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"f78b5e6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<html>\r\n<style>\r\n        .main{\r\n            border:3px solid #0f7c90;\r\n            border-radius:20px;\r\n            position: relative;\r\n            font-family:roboto;\r\n            font-weight: 400;\r\n            color: #000;\r\n        }\r\n\r\n        .main-two{\r\n            position: absolute;\r\n            top:-25px;\r\n            left:45px;\r\n            background-color:white;\r\n           \r\n\r\n        }\r\n\r\n        .img-div{\r\n            border-radius : 100%;\r\n            padding:2px 7px;\r\n            background-color:#0f7c90; \r\n            margin-right:5px;\r\n            width: 50px;\r\n            height: 50px;\r\n\r\n        }\r\n        .img{\r\n            width:30px;\r\n            object-fit:contain;\r\n            height:auto;\r\n            border-radius : 100%;\r\n        }\r\n\r\n        @media only screen and (max-width: 600px) {\r\n       .heading{\r\n        font-size:20px;\r\n       }\r\n       .img{\r\n            width:20px;\r\n            object-fit:contain;\r\n            height:auto;\r\n            border-radius : 100%;\r\n        }\r\n\r\n        .img-div{\r\n           \r\n            width: 40px;\r\n            height: 40px;\r\n\r\n        }\r\n        .main-two{\r\n            left:25px;\r\n\r\n        }\r\n    }\r\n        <\/style>\r\n  <\/head>\r\n  <body>\r\n   \r\n        <div class=\"main mb-3 pl-3 pl-lg-5 pl-md-5 pr-4 pt-4 pt-sm-5 pb-3\">\r\n\r\n            <div class=\"d-flex align-items-center main-two\">\r\n                <div class=\" img-div d-flex  align-items-center justify-content-center \"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/hurak.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Bulb.png\" class=\"img\" > <\/div>\r\n                <h4 class=\"pr-2 m-0 heading\">Want to Become a Designated Premises Supervisor?\r\n<\/h4>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n            <p>\r\n\r\n              It all starts with your APLH qualification, which is a legal requirement when applying for a personal licence. Hurak makes it simple, fast, and stress-free.\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/hurak.com\/course\/aplh-personal-licence-training-course\" target=\"_blank\">Get Your APLH Qualification<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/hurak.com\/licences\/aplh-personal-licence-application\" target=\"_blank\">Apply for Your Personal Licence<\/a>\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/p>\r\n\r\n            <\/div>\r\n    \r\n  <\/body>\r\n  <\/html>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-927feb2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"927feb2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Step 5: Send In the Application and Documents<\/h3><p>Once you\u2019ve filled in the form and prepared everything, you must submit your application to your local council. Along with the form, you\u2019ll need to include:<\/p><ul><li>The plan of the premises<\/li><li>A signed consent form from the DPS<\/li><li>Proof that you have the right to work in the UK<\/li><li>The application fee varies depending on the rateable value of your premises. You can check the fee band and get an accurate cost estimate by visiting your local council\u2019s website or using the<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"> <a style=\"color: #3366ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/alcohol-licensing-fee-levels\/main-fee-levels\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gov.uk<\/a><\/span> premises licence fee calculator.<\/li><\/ul><p>Double-check your council\u2019s website to make sure you\u2019re sending everything to the right place and in the right format.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-db9cf7c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"db9cf7c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Step 6: Let the Public Know About Your Application<\/h3><p>The law requires informing the public that you\u2019re applying for a licence. This gives people a chance to raise any concerns.<\/p><p>You must:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Put up a public notice<\/strong> outside your premises for 28 days, it has to be easy to see and read at all times<\/li><li><strong>Place a notice in a local newspaper<\/strong> within 10 working days of sending your application.<\/li><\/ul><p>Your council will often provide a template for these notices, so you can get it right the first time.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c193e1d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c193e1d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Step 7: Wait for Feedback<\/h3><p>Once your application is submitted and your notice is up, there\u2019s a <strong>28-day consultation period<\/strong>. During this time, people living nearby or responsible bodies like the police, fire service, or environmental health can object to your application if they have concerns.<\/p><p>If there are no objections, your licence is usually approved without a hearing.<br \/>If someone does raise a concern, your council may invite you to a hearing where you can explain your plans in more detail before they decide.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2cb7206 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2cb7206\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Step 8: Receive Your Licence<\/h3><p>If everything goes well, you\u2019ll receive:<\/p><ul><li>A <strong>Premises Licence certificate<\/strong><\/li><li>A <strong>Licence Summary<\/strong>, which you must display at your premises<\/li><\/ul><p>You can now legally carry out the activities you applied for, like selling alcohol or hosting events, under the terms of your licence.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-90a4428 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"90a4428\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>How Long Does It Take?<\/h3><p>From start to finish, the process usually takes <strong>4 to 8 weeks<\/strong>, depending on how quickly you submit everything and whether any objections are raised.It\u2019s a good idea to start early, especially if you plan to open a venue or run an event by a specific date.<\/p><p>In case you need a quick refresher, we\u2019ve put together a simple infographic that breaks down each step of the premises licence application process.<\/p><p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-32497 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/hurak.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/how-to-apply-for-a-premises-licence-uk-step-by-step-guide.webp\" alt=\"A step-by-step guide to apply for a premises licence in the UK, including application form, plan of premises, DPS, public notice, approval timeline and more.\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hurak.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/how-to-apply-for-a-premises-licence-uk-step-by-step-guide.webp 2048w, https:\/\/hurak.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/how-to-apply-for-a-premises-licence-uk-step-by-step-guide-300x230.webp 300w, https:\/\/hurak.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/how-to-apply-for-a-premises-licence-uk-step-by-step-guide-1024x785.webp 1024w, https:\/\/hurak.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/how-to-apply-for-a-premises-licence-uk-step-by-step-guide-768x589.webp 768w, https:\/\/hurak.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/how-to-apply-for-a-premises-licence-uk-step-by-step-guide-1536x1178.webp 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0ae8889 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0ae8889\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><strong>Other Key Requirements You Need to Address in Your Premises Licence Application<\/strong><\/h2><p>When applying for a premises licence, one of the most important things you\u2019ll be asked to consider is how your business will promote the four licensing objectives. These are set out in the Licensing Act 2003 and form the foundation of every licensing decision made by your local authority. You\u2019ll need to show that your premises will operate in a responsible way, protecting the public and minimising risk.<\/p><p>The four licensing objectives are:<\/p><ul><li><strong>The prevention of crime and disorder<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Public safety<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>The prevention of public nuisance<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>The protection of children from harm<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><p>Your application should explain what steps you\u2019ll take to support each of these objectives. This doesn\u2019t mean you need to commit to costly or complex measures, but you should demonstrate that you\u2019ve thought about potential risks and how you\u2019ll manage them.<\/p><p>The table below outlines practical examples you can use to meet each licensing objective:<\/p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><b>Licensing Objective<\/b><\/p><\/td><td><p><b>Examples of How to Promote It<\/b><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><b>The Prevention of Crime and Disorder<\/b><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 Install CCTV with clear signage<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 Train staff to handle intoxicated customers and de-escalate conflict<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 Have a written policy for refusing service when appropriate<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><b>Public Safety<\/b><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 Keep emergency exits clear and well-marked<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 Carry out regular fire and H&amp;S risk assessments<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 Ensure staff are trained in first aid or emergency procedures<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><b>The Prevention of Public Nuisance<\/b><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 Limit noise after certain hours (e.g. no music after 11 pm)<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 Ask customers to leave quietly and not loiter outside<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 Use bins with lids and schedule waste collection<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><b>The Protection of Children from Harm<\/b><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 Display signage for age-restricted products (e.g. alcohol)<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 Train staff in Challenge 25 ID checks<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2022 Avoid adult content or unsuitable material during business hours<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><p>\ud83d\udca1<em> Tip: Be realistic. Anything you include may become a condition of your licence, so only commit to actions you can reliably maintain.<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b80889e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b80889e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2><p>A premises licence is a key requirement for any business that wants to sell alcohol, host entertainment, or provide late-night food in the UK. In this guide, we\u2019ve explained what a premises licence is, who needs one, what activities it allows, how to apply, and the responsibilities it brings. We also explored the difference between a premises licence and a personal licence, and outlined what to expect during the application process.<\/p><p>Still have questions? The FAQs below cover common concerns, from charity events and application costs to what happens if someone objects to your licence.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a273ca4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a273ca4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><strong>FAQs<\/strong><\/h2><h4>What is a premises licence?<\/h4><p>A premises licence is a legal licence that allows a business or venue to sell alcohol, serve hot food after 11 pm, or provide entertainment like live music or film screenings.<\/p><h4>Who needs a premises licence?<\/h4><p>You need one if you run a pub, bar, restaurant, shop, or event space and plan to sell alcohol, serve hot food late at night, or host certain types of entertainment.<\/p><h4>What\u2019s the difference between a premises licence and a personal licence?<\/h4><p>A premises licence applies to the venue. A personal licence is for the individual responsible for selling alcohol at that venue.<\/p><h4>How do I apply for a premises licence?<\/h4><p>You apply through your local council. You\u2019ll need to complete a form, submit a plan of the premises, name a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS), and display a public notice.<\/p><h4>How much does a premises licence cost?<\/h4><p>The application fee is based on the rateable value of your premises. To find the exact cost, you can refer to your local council\u2019s website or use the <span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><a style=\"color: #3366ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/alcohol-licensing-fee-levels\/main-fee-levels\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gov.uk<\/a><\/span> premises licence fee calculator for a detailed estimate.<\/p><h4>How long does it take to get a premises licence?<\/h4><p>It usually takes between <strong>4 to 8 weeks<\/strong>, as long as there are no objections.<\/p><h4>What if someone objects to my application?<\/h4><p>The local council will review your case at a hearing. They may approve, amend, or reject the application.<\/p><h4>Do I need a premises licence for a one-off event?<\/h4><p>Not always. You may be able to apply for a <strong>Temporary Event Notice (TEN)<\/strong> instead, which is quicker and cheaper for small, short events like weddings or fundraisers.<\/p><h4>Do I need a licence if the event is for charity?<\/h4><p>Yes. Even free or charitable events need a licence if they include alcohol sales, regulated entertainment, or late-night food.<\/p><h4>Are there any activities that don\u2019t need a premises licence?<\/h4><p>Yes. Background music, art exhibitions, and film screenings for education or promotion often don\u2019t require a licence, as long as no alcohol is sold and it\u2019s not for profit.<\/p><h4>What happens if I operate without a premises licence?<\/h4><p>You could be fined up to <strong>\u00a320,000<\/strong> or face <strong>6 months in prison<\/strong> for unauthorised licensable activities.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-506d64b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"506d64b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><strong>Need help with your application?<\/strong><\/h2><p>Apply directly through your local council using the steps above, or reach out to Hurak, and we\u2019ll complete the application process on your behalf, quickly and without the stress.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-acbdbb9 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"acbdbb9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-lg\" href=\"https:\/\/hurak.com\/licences\/premises-licence\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Get your premises licensed  with Hurak<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A premises licence is an essential legal requirement for businesses that want to sell alcohol, provide regulated entertainment, or serve food late at night. Whether you\u2019re opening a pub, a restaurant, or even hosting events, this licence ensures that your activities comply with the law. In this article, we&#8217;ll guide you through everything you need [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":50,"featured_media":32504,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_eb_attr":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[43],"class_list":["post-32251","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hospitality","author-esther-dsouza"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What Is a Premises Licence? A Complete Guide for Businesses<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Planning to sell alcohol or provide entertainment at your venue? 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