PERSONAL LICENCE ONLINE EXAMS - INSTANT RESULTS - UNLIMITED RE-SITS - EXAMS OVER ZOOM EVERY HOUR - JUST £75+VAT

The Licensing Act 2003 Explained

Understanding Alcohol Licensing in England & Wales

The Licensing Act 2003 came into effect on 24 November 2005, fundamentally changing the way alcohol sales, entertainment, and late-night refreshment are regulated in England and Wales.

Under the Act, there are four types of licences used to regulate licensable activities:

🔹 Personal Licence

Granted to an individual, allowing them to authorise the sale of alcohol.

🔹 Premises Licence

Granted to a location (shop, bar, restaurant, warehouse etc.) permitting one or more licensable activities to take place.

🔹 Club Premises Certificate

Issued to qualifying members’ clubs to allow alcohol supply and entertainment for members and their guests.

🔹 Temporary Event Notice (TEN)

Allows a one-off event involving licensable activities, such as alcohol sales or entertainment.

Who Needs a Licence?

Anyone — whether an individual, business, or organisation — wishing to sell or supply alcohol, offer regulated entertainment, or serve hot food/drink between 11pm–5am, must be licensed by a Licensing Authority (usually your local council).

How to Get Licensed to Sell Alcohol

To sell alcohol by retail in England and Wales, you’ll need:

  • A Premises Licence – covering the specific location from which alcohol is sold

  • A Personal Licence – held by an individual who either makes or authorises those sales

For example:

  • A pub, restaurant, or shop will need a Premises Licence

  • A member of staff or manager responsible for sales must hold a Personal Licence

By law, every sale must either be made by or authorised by a Personal Licence Holder (PLH).
This means every premises must have at least one Personal Licence Holder involved in its operation.

Licensing in Scotland

The system is similar, but Personal Licence applicants must hold the Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (SCPLH).
Applications are submitted to the local Licensing Board, not the council.

Apply with Confidence

Inn Confidence offers a complete licensing application service, handling both:

  • Personal Licence applications

  • Premises Licence applications (including new grants, variations, and transfers)

How to Apply for a Personal Licence

To apply for a Personal Licence in England or Wales, you must apply to the Licensing Authority in the area where you live.

You will need:

  • A completed Personal Licence application form

  • Two passport-style photographs (one professionally endorsed)

  • A Basic Disclosure (DBS) certificate

  • A completed disclosure of convictions and declaration form

  • A recognised licensing qualification certificate (such as the BIIAB APLH)
    👉 Click here to learn more about the APLH

Need Help Applying?

If you prefer not to handle the paperwork yourself, Inn Confidence offers a full Personal Licence Application Service.

We take care of everything for you:

  • Liaising with your local Licensing Authority

  • Securing your DBS certificate

  • Preparing and submitting all forms on your behalf

  • Monitoring the application through to completion

👉 Click here to use our Personal Licence Application Service

How to Apply for a Premises Licence

A Premises Licence is required for any location where licensable activities will take place, including:

  • The retail sale of alcohol

  • The provision of regulated entertainment

  • The sale of hot food or drink between 11pm–5am

What’s Involved?

Applications for a Premises Licence must be submitted to the Licensing Authority for the area in which the premises is located. The process includes:

  • Completion of the application form

  • An Operating Schedule detailing licensable activities, times, and conditions

  • Scaled plans of the premises

  • Appointment of a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) (if selling alcohol)

  • Proof of the applicant's right to work in the UK

  • Payment of the appropriate application fee

  • Public notice displayed at the premises for 28 days

  • Advertisement in a local newspaper

Inn Confidence Premises Licence Services

We offer a fixed-fee Premises Licence Application Service for:

  • New licence applications

  • Variations or changes to existing licences

  • Premises licence transfers

👉 Click here for our Premises Licence Application Service

What's Included?

  • Initial risk assessment and expert advice

  • Completion and submission of all forms

  • Drafting of your Operating Schedule

  • Liaison with responsible authorities

  • Preparation of required notices and adverts

  • Ongoing support through the full consultation process

What Additional Costs Should I Expect?

While our professional service is a fixed fee, there are additional costs associated with every licence:

  • 🧾 Premises plans (if needed): approx. £150–£250

  • 📰 Newspaper advert: approx. £200–£300

  • 🏛️ Licensing Authority application fee: usually between £100–£635, depending on rateable value

  • ⚖️ Legal representation at hearings (only if required)

Questions?

📞 Call us today on 0151 558 1783 or
📧 Contact us via our online form — we’ll be happy to guide you through the licensing process from start to finish.