How Do I Get a Premises Licence?

If you intend to carry out licensable activities from any location — such as selling alcohol, hosting entertainment, or serving late-night refreshments — you must apply for a Premises Licence.

Applications are made to the Licensing Authority in the area where the premises is located.

What Are Licensable Activities?

Under the Licensing Act 2003, the following activities require a premises licence:

The retail sale of alcohol
The provision of regulated entertainment (such as music, films, dancing, plays)
The sale of hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am

What Are the Licensing Objectives?

All applications must demonstrate how the business will support the four statutory licensing objectives:

The prevention of crime and disorder
Public safety
The prevention of public nuisance
The protection of children from harm

These must be addressed clearly in your Operating Schedule, which forms part of the application.

Who Can Apply for a Premises Licence?

A premises licence can be applied for by:

An individual (aged 18 or over)
A limited company or business
An organisation, such as a charity or educational body

Licences may be issued for permanent buildings (e.g. shops or pubs) or for:

✅ Moveable structures (e.g. food trucks, marquees)
✅ Open-air spaces (e.g. festival sites)
✅ Vehicles or vessels (e.g. canal boats, event buses)

What's Involved in a Premises Licence Application?

Your application must be submitted to the local Licensing Authority and include the following:

A completed application form
A signed consent form for the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) — if alcohol sales are included
A correctly formatted plan of the premises
The relevant application fee
Proof of your right to work in the UK

Your Operating Schedule must include:

The licensable activities you intend to carry out
The days and hours when activities will take place
Opening hours of the premises
The identity of the DPS (if applicable)
Whether alcohol will be consumed on, off, or both
Measures you will take to promote the four licensing objectives

What Does It Cost?

The application fee depends on the non-domestic rateable value of the premises. Additional fees may apply for larger venues and alcohol-focused businesses.

Band	Rateable Value	Application Fee	Annual Charge
A	£0 – £4,300	£100	£70
B	£4,301 – £33,000	£190	£180
C	£33,001 – £87,000	£315	£295
D	£87,001 – £125,000	£450 (£900 if alcohol is the primary activity)	£320 (£640 if alcohol is the primary activity)
E	£125,001 and over	£635 (£1,905 if alcohol is the primary activity)	£350 (£1,050 if alcohol is the primary activity)

Advertising Your Application

As part of the application process, you must:

📰 Place a notice in a local newspaper (within 10 working days of submitting your application)
📜 Display a public notice on or near the premises for 28 consecutive days

The public notice must be:

On pale blue paper
A4 size or larger
In a font size of at least 16

What Happens After Submission?

Once submitted, your application enters a 28-day consultation period.

If no objections are raised by responsible authorities or the public, your licence will be granted
If objections are submitted, the Licensing Authority may hold a hearing to decide the outcome
The authority may grant the licence, add extra conditions, or reject the application

Inn Confidence – Premises Licence Application Service

We offer a fixed-fee service to take the stress out of applying for a new premises licence.

💷 £750 + VAT
(Please note: external costs such as local advert fees and licensing authority fees are not included)

Our Service Includes:

A full risk assessment by an experienced licensing consultant
Liaison with the Licensing Authority and responsible authorities
Completion and submission of all paperwork
Drafting your Operating Schedule
Preparing and posting public notices
Guidance and negotiation during the 28-day consultation

Additional Costs to Consider:

📐 Professional layout plans (we can arrange this for you)
📰 Newspaper advert (typically £200–£300)
🏛️ Council licensing fee (see table above)
👨⚖️ Hearing representation, if needed (only if objections arise)

Why Choose Inn Confidence?

✅ Trusted, experienced licensing consultants
✅ Fixed fees — no hidden surprises
✅ National coverage across England and Wales
✅ Full service from application to approval
✅ Expert support every step of the way

Ready to Start?

📞 Call us today on 0151 558 1783
or
📬 Complete the form below and we’ll get back to you with next steps.