🍷 Personal and Premises Licences in Oxford
Selling Alcohol in Oxford – Your Licensing Guide
Whether you’re managing a student bar, running an off-licence on Cowley Road, or dispatching alcohol from a warehouse, you’ll need to be properly licensed before you start selling alcohol in Oxford.
You’ll need two licences:
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A Personal Licence, issued by the authority where you live
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A Premises Licence, required for the business address in Oxford and issued by Oxford City Council
Every premises selling alcohol must have a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) — someone who holds a valid Personal Licence.
And before you apply, you must first pass the Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH).
Applying for a Personal Licence in Oxford
You’ll need:
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Personal Licence application
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Two passport-style photos (one signed)
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Basic DBS certificate (within 30 days)
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Proof of right to work in the UK
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APLH course certificate
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£37 application fee
Submit all to your home council.
Premises Licence in Oxford
If you're opening a business in Oxford that will sell or dispatch alcohol, apply to Oxford City Council.
The application process includes:
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A completed Premises Licence application form
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A to-scale floor plan
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Nomination of a DPS
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Public notice displayed at the premises for 28 days
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Local newspaper advert
Selling Alcohol Online from Oxford
If your alcohol business is primarily online, don’t assume you’re exempt.
The Licensing Act 2003 states the sale happens where the alcohol is made ready for dispatch — not on the website.
✅ A Premises Licence is required for:
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🏠 A home address storing and dispatching alcohol
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🏬 A licensed off-licence or warehouse fulfilling orders
❌ Not required for:
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An order-taking website
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Customer support offices with no alcohol on-site
🛒 Amazon, eBay and others may require sellers to hold both licence types under their alcohol sale policies.
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