Some advice: How to obtain a Personal Licence in Hereford, Herefordshire.

A Personal Licence authorises the holder to sell alcohol or authorise others to sell alcohol, in accordance with a premises licence in Herefordshire or any other authority in England and Wales. A Personal Licence is a requirement for any person wishing to become the designated premises supervisor (DPS) of a premises licensed to sell alcohol.

The sale of alcohol carries with it a greater responsibility than other licensable activities. This is why sales of alcohol may not be made under a premises licence unless there is a DPS in respect of the premises, who must hold a Personal Licence and must authorise, verbally in person or in writing, the sale of alcohol. The only exception is for those community premises which have successfully applied to remove the DPS requirement.

In order to apply for a Personal Licence, the applicant must be over 18 years of age and must possess a licensing qualification, such as Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance. The HABC validate all my courses and examinations. HABC also produce the course certificate. Only the applicant may apply to the Licensing Authority for a Personal Licence. Further, the applicant must apply to the licensing authority where they reside for a Personal Licence. If applicants have previously held a Personal Licence they must not have forfeited the Personal Licence within the last five years.

At any premises in Hereford, there may be numerous Personal Licence holders, but only one is the DPS. For example, there may be one owner or senior manager and several junior managers holding a Personal Licence. It is recommended as good practice to have multiple Personal Licence holders employed at a premises licensed to sell alcohol to ensure proper supervisory control.

If you are obtaining your Personal Licence in order to become the DPS at a licensed premises, please be aware that you cannot be named as DPS until such a time as your Personal Licence has been granted by the authority where you live, for example Hereford. A change to the Designated Premises Supervisor can only be requested by the premises licence holder.

On making such an application the premises licence holder should request evidence from the incoming DPS to ensure that they are satisfied a valid personal licence is held before submitting an application. Details of the Personal Licence held must be provided within the application form and DPS consent form.

Where a valid application has been received and no consultation is required the licensing team at your local authority will aim to issue the personal license within around 10 working days. Where consultation is required and the police do not issue an objection notice and the application otherwise meets the requirements of the 2003 Act, the licensing authority must grant the Personal Licence.

Where a relevant objection is received, from the police under the crime and disorder objective, the application will be referred to the Licensing Sub-Committee for decision within 21 days.

If you want to know more about obtaining a Personal Licence in Hereford, Ross on Wye, Leominster, Monmouth or anywhere else in England and Wales, call Johnny Walker on 07970 134 730. I’ll be please to help.