{"id":34504,"date":"2025-06-12T08:26:52","date_gmt":"2025-06-12T08:26:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hurak.com\/blog\/?p=34504"},"modified":"2025-11-27T17:57:06","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T17:57:06","slug":"restaurant-liquor-licence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hurak.com\/blog\/restaurant-liquor-licence","title":{"rendered":"Selling Alcohol in a Restaurant: UK Licence Requirements Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\"Waitress<\/p>

If you plan to sell alcohol in your restaurant, pub, or caf\u00e9, you\u2019ll need the proper licences in place. Without them, you could face serious consequences.<\/p>

Many business owners don\u2019t realise that there isn\u2019t just one catch-all alcohol licence. In most cases, you\u2019ll need two: a Premises Licence<\/a><\/strong> <\/span>for your business location, and a Personal Licence <\/a><\/strong><\/span>for the individual responsible for supervising alcohol sales.<\/p>

And once you\u2019re licensed, you\u2019re also legally required to purchase alcohol only from HMRC-approved suppliers<\/strong> to stay compliant with alcohol laws.<\/p>

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about what licences you need, how to apply, who can sell alcohol, and your ongoing responsibilities as a licence holder.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Do Restaurants Need a Liquor Licence to Sell Alcohol?<\/strong><\/h2>

Before diving into the details, here’s a quick decision tree to help you understand what kind of alcohol licence your restaurant might need. This simple flowchart will guide you based on whether you regularly sell alcohol, host a one-time event, or are still unsure about your approach.<\/p>

\"Restaurant<\/p>

This visual guide simplifies what can often feel like a confusing process. In short:<\/p>

If your restaurant plans to sell alcohol regularly, even alongside food, you’ll need both a Premises Licence<\/strong> and a Personal Licence<\/strong>. The Premises Licence covers your business location, while the Personal Licence allows a designated individual to oversee alcohol sales legally.
However, if you’re only planning to sell alcohol at a one-off event, such as a private dinner or pop-up, a Temporary Event Notice (TEN)<\/strong> may be sufficient. This licence is faster and simpler to obtain, making it ideal for short-term or occasional alcohol sales.<\/p>

To understand the key differences between a Personal Licence and a Premises Licence, read our detailed comparison guide<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>

For short-term events, explore our complete guide to Temporary Event Notices (TENs)<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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What Is a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS)?<\/strong><\/h2>

The Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS)<\/strong> is the person who oversees alcohol sales in your restaurant. They must hold a valid Personal Licence. The DPS ensures that you follow the law and serves as your primary point of accountability.<\/p>

Manage Alcohol Sales Legally and Confidently<\/b><\/h4>

If you’re planning to serve alcohol at your restaurant, you\u2019ll need to be named as the <\/span>Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS)<\/b>. That means getting your <\/span>Personal Licence<\/b> is essential.<\/span><\/p>

At Hurak, we guide you through the process step by step, making it simple, fast, and stress-free.<\/span><\/p>

Step 1: Complete the Level 2 APLH Course<\/a><\/span><\/b>
<\/b>This government-recognised training gives you the legal knowledge to sell alcohol responsibly and apply for your Personal Licence.<\/span><\/p>

Step 2: Apply for Your Personal Licence<\/a><\/span><\/b>
<\/b>After passing the course, you can submit your application to your local council. Hurak also offers a full licence application service to make this even easier.<\/span><\/p>

Once you’re licensed, you can be named as a DPS and legally manage alcohol sales at your restaurant.<\/span><\/p><\/div>

Learn more about what a DPS is and why every licensed premises must have one<\/a>.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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How to Apply for a Restaurant Liquor Licence<\/strong><\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Applying for a Premises Licence<\/h3>

To apply for a restaurant liquor licence, also known as a Premises Licence<\/a>,<\/span> you\u2019ll need to follow a few key steps through your local council. First, you must submit an application that includes details like your restaurant\u2019s layout, proposed opening hours, and a full list of alcohol-related activities you plan to carry out. Accurate floor plans of the premises must also accompany this application.<\/p>

Once submitted, you are legally required to display a public notice outside your restaurant for 28 consecutive days. This provides members of the public and responsible authorities, such as the police, with an opportunity to raise objections if necessary. You\u2019ll also need to notify the police and other relevant authorities directly when applying.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Applying for a Personal Licence<\/h3>

To apply for a Personal Licence, you\u2019ll first need to complete the Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH)<\/strong>. This course helps you understand alcohol laws and your responsibilities. After completing the course, you must pass a DBS check<\/a> <\/span>to show you don\u2019t have any serious criminal convictions.\u00a0<\/p>

Once you have both of these, you can submit your application to your local council along with the necessary documents and fee.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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