Understanding Premises Licence Application Fees
When applying for a Premises Licence under the Licensing Act 2003, your local licensing authority will charge an application fee. The fee structure is determined by several factors, including:
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The non-domestic rateable value of your premises.
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Whether your premises is used primarily for selling alcohol for consumption on-site (e.g., pubs, clubs, restaurants).
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Whether you plan to host events attracting more than 5,000 attendees at any one time.
This guide explains how these fees are calculated, helping you budget accurately for your premises licence application.
What is the Non-Domestic Rateable Value?
The non-domestic rateable value is set by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) and represents an assessment of your property's rental value on the open market. You can find your rateable value on your most recent business rates bill, or by visiting the VOA website and searching by your premises address.
The rateable value determines which fee band your premises licence application falls into.
Premises Licence Fee Bands
The following bands are used to categorise the licence application fee you’ll pay:
| Band | Non-Domestic Rateable Value |
|---|---|
| A | None to £4,300 |
| B | £4,301 to £33,000 |
| C | £33,001 to £87,000 |
| D | £87,001 to £125,000 |
| E | £125,001 and above |
Licence Application Fees by Band
When applying for a new premises licence, or a variation to an existing licence, fees are as follows:
| Band | Application Type | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| A | New Application or Variation | £100 |
| B | New Application or Variation | £190 |
| C | New Application or Variation | £315 |
| D | New Application or Variation | £450 |
| E | New Application or Variation | £635 |
Additional Fees for Alcohol-Focused Premises
If your premises fall within Bands D or E, and your business is used primarily or exclusively for the sale of alcohol consumed on-site (e.g., pubs, clubs, bars), your fees increase:
| Band | Multiplier Applied for Alcohol-Focused Premises |
|---|---|
| D | Double the standard fee (£900) |
| E | Triple the standard fee (£1,905) |
Annual Fees
After your licence is granted, you must also pay an annual licence fee. The annual fee structure mirrors the initial application bands:
| Band | Annual Licence Fee |
|---|---|
| A | £70 |
| B | £180 |
| C | £295 |
| D | £320 |
| E | £350 |
Annual Fee Multiplier (Bands D & E)
For premises primarily selling alcohol for consumption on-site in Bands D & E, annual charges also increase:
| Band | Annual Multiplier Fee |
|---|---|
| D | Double the standard annual fee (£640) |
| E | Triple the standard annual fee (£1,050) |
Additional Fees for Large-Scale Events
If you plan events where over 5,000 people will attend, extra fees apply:
| Event Size | Additional Fee |
|---|---|
| 5,000 to 9,999 | £1,000 |
| 10,000 to 14,999 | £2,000 |
| 15,000 to 19,999 | £4,000 |
| 20,000 to 29,999 | £8,000 |
| 30,000 to 39,999 | £16,000 |
| 40,000 to 49,999 | £24,000 |
| 50,000 to 59,999 | £32,000 |
| 60,000 to 69,999 | £40,000 |
| 70,000 to 79,999 | £48,000 |
| 80,000 to 89,999 | £56,000 |
| 90,000 and over | £64,000 |
Examples of Premises Licence Fee Calculations
Here are some real-world examples to help clarify how fees might apply:
Example 1: Small Café (Band A)
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Rateable Value: £3,500
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Initial Fee: £100
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Annual Fee: £70
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Multiplier: Not applicable (small premises)
Example 2: Town Centre Pub (Band D, Alcohol-Focused)
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Rateable Value: £90,000
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Initial Fee: £900 (£450 x2 multiplier)
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Annual Fee: £640 (£320 x2 multiplier)
Example 3: Large Restaurant (Band E)
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Rateable Value: £150,000
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Initial Fee: £635 (standard, as food primary)
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Annual Fee: £350 (standard, food primary)
Example 4: Nightclub (Band E, Alcohol-Focused)
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Rateable Value: £150,000
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Initial Fee: £1,905 (£635 x3 multiplier)
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Annual Fee: £1,050 (£350 x3 multiplier)
Need Help with Your Application?
Inn Confidence provides professional, fully-managed Premises Licence Application Services, including:
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Assessing your premises' correct band
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Completing and submitting all required paperwork
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Organising public and newspaper notices
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Negotiating with licensing authorities and responsible parties
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Ongoing compliance advice
We offer a fixed-fee Premises Licence application service at a competitive rate (£750 + VAT, excluding licensing disbursements).
Why Choose Inn Confidence?
✅ Experienced licensing consultants
✅ National coverage across England & Wales
✅ Transparent fixed-fee pricing
✅ Expert guidance and support from start to finish
Next Steps
To discuss your Premises Licence application or for expert advice on calculating your application fees:
📞 Call us today on 0151 558 1783
or
📝 Complete our enquiry form and we'll get straight back to you.