New Licensing Laws

The Licensing Act 2003 — which came into force in 2005 — provides a complete overhaul of licensing for the selling of alcohol and provision of entertainment and has produced a radical re-organisation of the licensing process.

All existing licences will need to be converted — which means that if you currently hold a licence you will need to re-apply for a new licence.

Some of the Major Changes:

	Licences are to be granted by the local authority (instead of Magistrates Courts)
	A single licensing scheme covers premises selling alcohol or providing entertainment
	There is a new system of personal licences — enabling holders to move freely between licensed premises

Licences are Required for:

	Pubs
	Off licences
	Nightclubs
	Restaurants that serve alcohol
	Hotels and guest houses that serve alcohol
	Indoor sporting events
	Theatres
	Cinemas

How We Can Help

Licensing applications are regularly won or lost by the way they are prepared. We can help by making thorough checks to ensure that everything has been done to make each application a successful one.

Sometimes local residents or authorities will object to applications. If this happens, we can advise on how best to deal with those objections.

We have a good local knowledge and are happy to advise clients at the earliest stage of an application. For instance, what structural alterations should be made to premises or whether to apply for a provisional statement (the new mechanism which replaces provisional licences).

Our team aims to be successful and takes a commercial approach to all applications. We will advise at the outset on the likelihood of success with the application and of the cost.

Article first published May 2005
Reviewed April 2007