🍷 Personal and Premises Licences in Northampton
How to Get Licensed to Sell Alcohol in Northampton
Whether you're opening a new bar, managing a local off-licence, or starting an alcohol delivery service, you’ll need two essential licences to sell alcohol legally in Northampton:
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A Personal Licence, issued by the council covering your home address
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A Premises Licence, issued by West Northamptonshire Council for any licensed premises within Northampton
Every premises that sells alcohol must have a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) — a Personal Licence holder responsible for overseeing all alcohol sales.
To apply for your Personal Licence, you’ll first need to complete the Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH).
Applying for a Personal Licence in Northampton
Submit the following:
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Completed application form
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Two passport-style photos (one signed)
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Basic DBS certificate issued within 30 days
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Evidence of the right to work in the UK
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Certificate of APLH course completion
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£37 application fee
Send to the council where you live, not necessarily where your business is based.
Premises Licence in Northampton
Apply to West Northamptonshire Council if your business will sell or dispatch alcohol from a location in Northampton.
You’ll need:
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The Premises Licence application
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A detailed floor plan
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A nominated DPS
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A public notice posted for 28 days
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Local newspaper advertisement
Selling Alcohol Online from Northampton
If you're dispatching alcohol from a Northampton address, that property must be licensed — even if you're not serving customers on site.
The sale happens where alcohol is packed for delivery, not where orders are placed.
✅ Licence required for:
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🏠 A home used for dispatching
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🏬 Warehouses, shops, or fulfilment units
❌ Not required for:
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Admin-only offices
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Non-stockholding websites
🛒 If you sell through eBay, Amazon or other marketplaces, you may need to upload your licences to meet seller compliance requirements.
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