Introduction
A premises licence issued under the Licensing Act 2003 can be used to provide the following activities from a premises:
- sell alcohol by retail
- provide regulated entertainment, which can include live and recorded music, plays, films and indoor sporting events. For more information, visit Entertainment Licensing (gov.uk).
- provide late night refreshment (selling hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am).
Applications for licences are judged against four ‘licensing objectives’, being:
- The prevention of crime and disorder
- The prevention of public nuisance
- Public safety
- Protection of children from harm
All licences are subject to certain conditions, which it is a legal requirement to comply with.
Applying for a premises licence
You must over 18 years old to apply for a premises licence.
It is essential you read section 4 of Somerset Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy before completing an application.
The application must be submitted with a scale plan of the premises.
If you want to sell alcohol, you must as part of your application nominate a personal licence holder to be the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS). The DPS is the person responsible for authorising the supply of alcohol.
The cost of the application depends on the non-domestic rateable value of the premises. Application fees range from £100 to £1905, depending on the fee band the premises falls into (gov.uk).
On the day after the day the application has been submitted in full, a 28 day representation period begins, and a notice must be displayed at the premises until that period finishes. Another notice must also be published in a local newspaper within 10 working days, beginning the day after the application is submitted. You will be responsible for both. You can use our New premises example notice (DOC).
If no representations are received within the 28 days, the licence will be granted. If representations are received, the Council will hold a hearing to decide whether the application should be:
- Granted in full
- Granted but with changes to what was applied for, such as the activities, additional conditions or without the Designated Premises Supervisor that was nominated
- Rejected
A hearing won’t be necessary if you and other parties reach a compromise beforehand. We will allow you to change your application to reduce activities and/or hours and add conditions to help reach a compromise. You cannot change the application to increase activities and/or hours once your application has been submitted, or withdraw any conditions offered.
If a licence is granted, an annual fee must be paid in a year’s time and for each year after that (until the licence is surrendered or lapses). This fee is also based on the rateable value of the premises.
Apply for a premises licence (opens in new window)
Paying the annual fee
Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS)
The Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) is the person licence holder named on a premises licence for the purpose of authorising the supply of alcohol specifically.
A premises cannot supply alcohol if the DPS named on the licence does not hold a personal licence.
The holder of a licence can apply to change their DPS by submitting an application to Vary a premises licence to specify an individual as Designated Premises Supervisor. The application can take effect immediately or from a specific date. As part of this application, the applicant must upload proof that the proposed DPS has given consent to be named, having completed the Consent form (gov.uk).
The fee to apply is £23. Once the application is submitted, it is sent to the Police who will then have the ability to object within the next 14 days. The application is granted if no objection is made. If there is an objection, the Licensing Authority will arrange a hearing.
A DPS can withdraw consent from being named on a premises licence at any time.
Transfer a premises licence
A premises licence can be transferred to a different licence holder. The proposed licence holder must apply to transfer a premises licence. The application can take effect immediately or from a specific date. As part of the application, the applicant must upload proof that the current licence holder has given consent to the transfer using the Licence holder consent to transfer form (gov.uk).
The fee to apply is £23. Once the application is submitted, it is sent to the Police who will then have the ability to object within the next 14 days. The application is granted if no objection is made. If there is an objection, the Licensing Authority will arrange a hearing.
Variation to a premises licence
Minor variation to a premises licence
To make small changes to the licence or layout of the premises, you may be able to apply for a minor variation.
The Licensing Authority cannot grant a minor variation if it believes that the proposed changes are likely to have an adverse effect on the licensing objectives. it is recommended that Licence holders contact the Licensing service for advice and to check that a standard variation is not required before submitting an application for a minor variation.
The fee to apply for a minor variation is £89.
Interim Authority Notice
Surrender of a licence
If the licence is not needed any longer, the licence holder can surrender it by sending us a written notice to that effect. The notice should be sent with the premises licence or, if that is not possible, within the notice it should be explained why it was not possible to send it.
Notification of change of name/address/trading name/and or re-issue
Notification of change of name/address/trading name/and or re-issue (PDF 132KB)
Other forms
Fees and charges
Current fees and charges can be found on our Fees and charges page.