Licensable Activities

Subject to the definitions and exemptions under the Licensing Act 2003, a premises licence authorises any premises to be used for one or more of the licensable activities.

The licensable activities include one or more of the following:

the retail sale and supply of alcohol;
provision of regulated entertainment including public entertainment, theatre, cinema, and indoor sports; and
the provision of late night refreshments between 11pm and 5am.

Who can apply for a premises licence?

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

Generally, any person who is aged 18 or over and who is or proposes to carry on a business which involves the use of premises for licensable activities may apply for a premises licence either on a permanent or limited basis.

The following people or organisations may also apply for a premises licence on a permanent or limited basis:

A person who makes the application pursuant to any statutory function which they discharge and which relate to the licensable activities.
A person who makes the application pursuant to any function which they discharge by virtue of the Queen's prerogative.
A recognised club.
A charity.
The proprietor of an educational institution.
A health service body.
The chief officer of police.

Licence Conditions

The following activities will require a premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003.

Retail sale of alcohol

This includes via the internet or mail order and "drink included in ticket" style events. However, the supply of alcohol to members of registered clubs and their guests is not an activity covered by a premises licence.

Supply of late night refreshments

This includes the supply of hot food or drink between the hours of 11pm and 5am (mobile food vans will also need a separate street trading consent), unless you fall under an exemption.

Provision of regulated entertainment

Performance of a play
Exhibition of a film
Indoor sporting event
Boxing or wrestling entertainment
Performance of live music
Any playing of recorded music
Performance of dance, and
Provision of facilities for making music or for dancing.

If you apply for a premises licence that includes the consent to sell alcohol, you must nominate a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) and this person must hold a personal licence.

Exemptions

The Licensing Act 2003 makes the following exemptions to the definition of regulated entertainment.

Cinemas

Films can normally only be shown if the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has awarded a certificate. These range from "U" which means universal and can be seen by anyone, to "18" which means that only persons who are 18 and over can be admitted to see a particular film.

We have the power to act as a local censor and give permission for a film to be shown which has not been granted a certificate by the BBFC. We can prohibit the exhibition of a film even though a certificate has been granted, or alter the BBFC certification.

Theatres

In addition to the main purpose built theatres which hold an annual licence, there are a number of community halls or similar premises which put on performances that require an occasional licence. These can be granted for a few days only or specific periods.

Late Night Refreshment

Late night refreshment is generally defined as the provision or supply of hot food or drink between the hours of 11pm and 5am to any member of the public, on or from any premises, whether for consumption on or off the premises.

The supply of hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am is NOT late night refreshment, if a person will neither be admitted to the premises, nor be supplied with hot food or drink on or from the premises concerned otherwise than being a member of a recognised club, being a person staying at a particular hotel (or other overnight accommodation) for the night in question, being an employee of a particular employer, being engaged in a particular trade, profession or vocation.

The supply of hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am is NOT late night refreshment, if it takes place during a period in which the premises are used for a public exhibition or near beer premises.

The following supplies of hot food or drink is NOT late night refreshment, and are exempt:

The supply of hot drink which consists of or contains alcohol.
The supply of hot drink by means of a vending machine.
The supply of hot food or drink free of charge.
The supply of hot food or drink by a registered charity, or person authorised by a registered charity.
The supply of hot food or drink on a vehicle in motion.

How do I apply for a premises licence?

In order to obtain a premises licence you will need to make an application to us as the Licensing Authority.

There is also a consultation period and you will need to advertise the application.

Applications may be made online or by post and include documents and submissions.

Operating Schedule

An operating schedule is a document that should include all the information necessary to enable us or an interested party to assess whether the steps to be taken to promote licensing objectives are satisfactory. The form of an operating schedule is provided within the specified application form and must be completed.

Consent of Designated Premises Supervisor

In the case of an application for a premises licence which relates to the sale or supply of alcohol, the consent of the individual who the applicant wishes to have specified as the premises supervisor in the licence must be provided.

Plan(s) of the Premises and / or Land

All applications for the grant of a premises licence must be accompanied by a plan of the premises to which the application relates. For clarity, it is recommended that plans together with the prescribed features they contain be colour coded.

Please note that unless otherwise stated, all documents must be original, as photocopies will not be accepted.

Please note that applications that do not meet the criteria detailed may be deemed invalid and subsequently rejected.

How much does a licence cost?

See our Environmental Health Fees and Charges.

For all applications for first-time grant of a Premises Licence, the prescribed fee must accompany the application. All cheques and / or postal orders should be made payable to us.

Additional Fees

Whatever the fee payable under each band, additional fees are also payable if more than 5,000 people are to be permitted on the premises under the licence arrangements.

Applicants are advised that the holder of a Premises Licence must also pay an annual fee. The annual fee payable is also dependent upon the non-domestic rateable value of the premises concerned.

Advertisement of Applications

Local Newspaper

In all cases, an application must be advertised by publishing a notice in a local newspaper circulating in the vicinity of the premises. This advert must be published on at least one occasion within 10 working days of the application being submitted to us.

Applicants are advised to contact their chosen newspaper group to check publication deadlines and dates. Applicants should also check that the chosen newspaper circulates in the area to which their application relates.

Site Notice

The application must also be advertised by displaying a notice at or on the premises. This notice must be A4 or larger in size, pale blue in colour and located in such a position where it can be conveniently read from the exterior of the premises.

The notice must be printed legibly (font size 16), be printed or typed in black ink and must be displayed for a period of 28 consecutive days. For any premises covering an area more than 50 metres square, two A4 notices must be displayed.

All notices must contain a statement of the relevant licensable activities that are to be carried on from the premises. In addition, all notices must state the following:

The name of the applicant.
The postal address of the premises concerned.
The postal address and website of Stevenage Borough Council, stating where and when the record of the application on the licensing register may be inspected (our offices).
The date by which an interested party or responsible authority may make representation(s) to us and that all such representations must be made in writing.
That it is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with an application together with the maximum fine for which a person is liable on summary conviction.

Failure to advertise the application in the prescribed manner may render the application invalid.

Alcohol and Entertainment Licences