Apply for a premises licence

Includes information on when a premises licence is required

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
  • provide late night refreshment (selling hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am).

You must over 18 years old to apply for a premises licence.

If you want to sell alcohol, you must nominate a person to be the ‘designated premises supervisor’ (DPS). That person must hold a personal licence.

Apply

To apply, please complete the premises licence application form. The application must be submitted with a scale plan of the premises.

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.

If no representations are received within the 28 days, the licence will be granted. If representations are received, the Council must 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, conditions or without the DPS that was nominated
  • Rejected

Designated Premises Supervisor

To nominate a different person as the Designated Premises Supervisor, you will need to apply to vary the licence to specify a Designated Premises Supervisor.

Transfer a premises licence

If you want to allow someone else to become the holder of the licence, you will need to apply to transfer the licence.

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. You should contact Licensing for advice before applying.

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)

Fees and charges

Current fees and charges can be found on our Fees and charges page.

Last updated: December 5, 2024

Next review due: June 5, 2025

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