Ammending a Premises Licence

Changing or varying a premises licence, need not be a difficult matter, here is an outline of what happens:

If you wish to make an amendment to your current Premises Licence that affect any of the licensing objectives you will need to apply to your local licensing authority, where the premises is situated. Variations are typically used when adding any extra licensable activities to your licence, adjusting your operating hours, adding or removing conditions to your licence, major changes to the layout of the premises or changes to the plans of the building.

Your proposed change may be able to be dealt with under a Minor Variation. This is when changes can be made to the premises licence that do not affect any of the four licensing objectives. For example, removing out-dated conditions, or adding other licensable activities.

To apply for a Variation to a Premises Licence you are required to:

• Complete the online application and pay the fee.
• Return both parts of your original Premises Licence, but keep a copy of both at the premises. If this is not available please confirm why in writing
• Submit a plan of the premises with your application showing the internal area and where licensable activity will take place. Clearly indicate any proposed new areas or alterations if applicable
• Issue a copy of your completed application form to each of the Responsible Authorities. If you have applied online the Licensing Authority will do this for you.
• Each Responsible Authority could make an objection to your application, which may result in a Licensing Sub-Committee hearing. 
• Display a Public Notice:
  • It must be displayed in a conspicuous place on the premises for at least 28 consecutive days starting after the day the application was submitted
  • It must be displayed where it can be conveniently read by members of public from the exterior of the premises
  • It must be at least A4 size
  • It must be pale blue in colour
  • It must be printed legibly in black ink or typed in a black font equal or greater that font size 16
  • If the premises covers an area greater than 50 square metres a further, identical notice must be displayed every 50 metres of the perimeter of the premises
  • Ensure your application is complete and valid before displaying your Public Notice. If incorrect you may need to display again for 28 consecutive days after submission of a complete application
  • The Public Notice gives the public the opportunity to make representations. If the representation is valid it may result in a Licensing Sub-Committee hearing.