Premises Licence

What is a premises licence?

The Licensing Act 2003 combines six existing licensing regimes covering the sale and supply of alcohol, the provision of regulated entertainment and the provision of late night refreshment and replaces them with a single system of premises licence.

Businesses can now apply for a single premises licence to cover all the licensable activities they wish to carry on.

Who can apply?

Anyone who proposes to carry on a business involving licensable activities on the premises can apply for a premises licence. This covers any individual (aged 18 or over) or business. Recognised clubs, charities, a proprietor of an educational establishment, health service bodies and a chief officer of police may also apply for a premises licence.

How do I apply?

You can apply online through the GOV.UK website.

• Apply for a premises licence
• Apply for a provisional statement
• Apply for a Designated Premises Supervisor to be dissapplied
• Tell us a minor change to your premises
• Apply to vary your premises licence
• Apply to transfer your premises licence
• Notify us of an interest in premises under section 178
• Tell us about a change to your existing interim authority notice
• Tell us about a change to your existing consent to transfer
• Notify us of your request to be removed as designated premises supervisor
• Tell us about a change to your existing application to vary a premises licence to specify an individual as designated premises supervisor
• Notify us of a change of name or address
• Extend or renew your annual fee payment

Apply by post 

In order to apply for a premises licence you need to submit a premises licence application pack to the licensing authority where the premises is situated.

If sending in your application forms please address them to: 

Licensing Officer (Alcohol & Entertainment)
Ribble Valley Borough Council
Council Offices
Church Walk
Clitheroe
BB7 2RA. 

You must also send copies to the various Responsible Authorities and advertise the application both on the premises and in the local press.

Application Form Downloads

The following  forms can be downloaded and sent to us by post: 

• Late night refreshment pack 
• Application to specify a new Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS)
• Application to vary a premises licence
• Minor variation application
• Application to Transfer a Premises Licence
• Review of Premises Licence
• Request to be removed as Designated Premises Supervisor
• Community Premises - alternative licence condition

How will my application be determined?

If there are no objections or representations from either a responsible authority or other person, the application will be granted and there will be no hearing. If a relevant objection or representation is made there will be a hearing (unless all parties have agreed this is not necessary). You will be entitled to attend the hearing and make representations.

What form will the licence take?

The licence will include the following information:

• the name and address of the licence holder

• a plan of the premises

• the licensable activities permitted

• if these include the supply of alcohol, the name and address of the designated premises supervisor

• any conditions to which the licence is subject

• if the licence is not permanent, then the dates for which it is to have effect

• the times the licence authorises the carrying out of licensable activities

• the opening hours of the premises

• where the licence authorises supplies of alcohol whether these are on and/or off supplies

The holder of the licence must ensure that a summary of the licence (in a prescribed form) is prominently displayed at the premises.

How long will the licence last?

A premises licence unless granted only for a limited period remains in force until it is surrendered or revoked. Although the licence is not subject to annual renewal the licence holder has to pay an annual charge to the licensing authority (see note on fees ).