Theo Nash
If you want to sell or supply alcohol in the UK, you need a licence. The type of licence you need depends on your business. If you're selling alcohol on a permanent basis, you need a premises licence. If you plan to sell or supply alcohol, you need a personal licence. To get a personal licence, you must be over 18, have the right to live and work in the UK, and pass an accredited qualification. You can apply for a licence by filling out an application form and sending it to your local council licensing team, along with a fee.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who needs a licence? | Any business or organisation that sells or supplies alcohol on a permanent basis |
| Who issues the licence? | Local council licensing team or Local Licensing Authority |
| Requirements for a personal licence | Be at least 18 years old, pass an APLH course, have the right to live and work in the UK, have not forfeited a personal licence in the previous 5 years |
| Application fee | £37 |
| Administration fee for changes or copies | £10.50 |
| Validity | Until surrendered, suspended or revoked |
| Application process | Complete an application form and send it to the local council licensing team, along with the fee |
| Additional documents | Criminal convictions certificate, endorsed passport photos, written list of authorised sellers |
| Online application | Available if accepted by the council |
| Premises licence | Required for the use of any premises for licensable activities as defined in the Licensing 2003 Act |
| Designated premises supervisor | Required for premises licensed to sell alcohol, must hold a personal licence |
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What You'll Learn
How to get a personal licence to sell alcohol
To get a personal licence to sell alcohol in the UK, you must be over the age of 18 and have the right to live and work in the UK. You will need to undertake training and get an accredited qualification to ensure that you are aware of licensing laws and wider social responsibilities. You can find a list of approved qualifications on the Gov.UK website.
You will then need to submit the following to your local council's licensing authority:
- A completed personal licence application form
- A disclosure of convictions form
- Two passport photographs, one of which is signed and verified by a solicitor, notary, or similar
- Proof of your licensing qualification
- A criminal record certificate
The application fee for a personal alcohol licence is £37, and you can pay by cheque or postal order. You may also be able to pay by cash or card, depending on your local council's rules.
Once you have your personal licence, you can authorise the sale of alcohol at licensed premises. It is a legal requirement for premises serving alcohol to have a named personal licence holder.
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How to get a premises licence
To get a premises licence to sell alcohol in the UK, you must be 18 or older and follow the below steps:
Firstly, you need to contact your local council licensing team to apply for a premises licence. You can apply online if your council accepts electronic applications, or you can apply via post. You will need to complete an application form and pay a fee. You may also need to send copies of your form to the police and other 'responsible authorities'.
Secondly, you must appoint a designated premises supervisor (DPS) who holds a personal licence. This person will have day-to-day responsibility for the running of the business and will be responsible for authorising all alcohol sales. The only exception to this is a community premises that has successfully applied to waive the DPS requirement under section 41D of the act.
Thirdly, you must ensure that the UK wholesalers you buy alcohol from have been approved by HMRC under the Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme (AWRS). You can do this by checking the wholesaler's Unique Registration Number (URN) against the HMRC online database.
Finally, you must display your 'application notice' at or on the premises for 28 days from the day after it was submitted.
It is important to note that you can be fined up to £1,000 for failing to produce your licence when requested. If you carry out licensable activities without a premises licence, you may be fined, imprisoned for up to 6 months, or both.
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Qualifications and requirements for a personal licence
To apply for a personal licence to sell alcohol in the UK, you must meet certain qualifications and requirements. Here are the key details:
Qualifications
- Age: You must be at least 18 years old to apply for a personal licence.
- Right to Work: You need to have the right to live and work in the UK.
- Accredited Qualification: It is mandatory to obtain an accredited qualification before applying for a personal licence. This qualification ensures that you understand licensing laws and the social responsibilities associated with alcohol sales. The qualification providers are accredited by the Home Secretary.
- Licensing Qualification: You must hold a relevant licensing qualification, such as the BIIAB Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders or the APLH Level 2 qualification. The APLH course is a 6-hour training that covers the fundamentals of the industry, and you must pass a multiple-choice exam to obtain the qualification.
Requirements
- Criminal Record Check: You must disclose any relevant criminal convictions. Your local council will assess your suitability as a licensee based on this information. A basic criminal conviction disclosure form is typically required as part of the application process.
- Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS): If you are applying as a representative of a licensed premises, you may need to be designated as the DPS. The DPS acts as the primary contact for local government and the police and is responsible for understanding the social issues and potential problems associated with alcohol sales. They must also have a good understanding of the business. While the DPS need not be on-site at all times, they must be involved enough to act as its representative and be contactable at all times.
- Application Form and Fee: You will need to complete an application form and submit it to your local council licensing team, along with the associated fee. The application fee is typically £37, and you may incur additional costs for obtaining a basic DBS check.
- Previous Licence Forfeiture: You should not have forfeited a personal licence in the previous 5 years.
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How to apply for a club premises certificate
To apply for a club premises certificate, you must be a qualifying club or members' club, such as a social, sporting, or political members' club (e.g. working men's club, rugby club, or the Royal British Legion).
To qualify for a certificate, your club must meet several conditions:
- The club premises are regularly occupied and used for club purposes.
- Alcohol and entertainment are provided only to members and their guests.
- Only someone 18 or older, nominated by the club, can serve alcohol or buy it on behalf of the club.
- There is no financial benefit from the buying or selling of alcohol.
You can apply for a club premises certificate through your local council. You may need to provide additional information and pay an annual fee. Displaying notice of your application may also be required before you obtain the certificate.
If you wish to change your certificate once it has been granted, you can apply to your local council for a full or minor variation. The process for a full variation is similar to the initial application process, and the fee is the same. A minor variation is cheaper and quicker but cannot be appealed if rejected.
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How to change or replace your personal licence
To change or replace your personal licence in the UK, you must contact your local licensing authority, usually your local council. The process may vary depending on your location, so it is advisable to check with your council for specific requirements. Here is a general outline of the steps involved:
- Eligibility: To be eligible for a personal licence, you must be at least 18 years old and have the right to live and work in the UK. You must also not have forfeited a personal licence in the previous five years and must obtain an accredited qualification.
- Accredited Qualification: The aim of the qualification is to ensure that licence holders understand licensing laws and the social responsibilities associated with selling alcohol. The qualification must be obtained from a Home Secretary-accredited provider. A list of accredited providers can be found on the Gov.UK website.
- Criminal Record Check: Your local council will require information on any relevant criminal convictions. You will need to provide a basic criminal conviction disclosure form. Having a criminal record does not necessarily disqualify you from obtaining a personal licence, but it may impact your application.
- Application Form and Fee: You will need to complete an application form and submit it to your local council licensing team, along with the application fee. The fee for a personal alcohol licence is typically £37, and the administration fee for any changes or copies of your licence is £10.50. You may also need to send copies of your form to the police and other responsible authorities. Some councils accept electronic applications, while others may require postal submissions.
- Endorsed Passport Photos: Your application should include endorsed passport photos that adhere to the specified photo requirements.
- Training and Certificate: You will need to undertake training and obtain an accredited Level 2 certificate for personal licence holders. This certificate is a requirement for obtaining your personal licence and ensures that you have the necessary skills and qualifications to sell alcohol legally.
- Submission and Processing: Submit your completed application, including all required documentation and fees, to your local licensing authority. The processing time may vary, and you will be notified once your application has been approved or if further information is required.
Remember, it is important to maintain compliance with licensing laws and regulations, as selling alcohol without a valid personal licence can result in significant fines and legal consequences.
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Frequently asked questions
A personal alcohol licence authorises the holder to sell alcohol in the United Kingdom. It is typically for those who work in the hospitality industry, like bar staff and event managers.
To apply for a personal alcohol licence, you must be over 18 and have the right to live and work in the UK. You must also obtain an accredited qualification first, such as the APLH Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders. You can then apply to your local authority.
The application fee for a personal alcohol licence is £37. The administration fee for any changes made to a licence or for a copy of a licence is £10.50.
You can submit an application to change your name or address on your personal licence online. If your licence is lost, you should write to the Licensing Team and advise them of your details and duplication needed.
