Applying for a new Premises Licence

This page details how to apply for a Premises Licence.

How long it takes

The Licensing Act 2003 gives the licensing authority up to two months to process applications for Premises Licences. In most cases applications will take at least six weeks.

Premises Licences become effective on the date requested on your application, or the date granted if this is later.

If the licence provides for the sale of alcohol, your Designated Premises Supervisor will need to have a Personal Licence. This can also take up to two months, or potentially longer if a training course is needed beforehand.

When to apply

You can apply for a new Premises Licence at any time.

You should check carefully the time you will need to put your application together, as you will need to obtain plans of the premises.

Discussing your draft application

We strongly advise you to discuss your draft application with the police (and other Responsible Authorities to suit your proposals) before sending the final version. Where official objections can be negotiated away, there is much less chance of needing to attend a hearing.

Advertising your application

You need to advertise your application both:

• once in a local newspaper within 14 days
• on a poster at the premises for at least 28 days which can be downloaded below

Blue A4 posters (43kB PDF)
New Premises Licence Draft Newspaper Public Notice (25kB PDF)

These must conform to the rules in the Licensing Act 2003 Regulations 2005. These can be found in paragraph 25 of Statutory Instrument 2005 no. 42 - Licences and Licensing.

What you need to send to us

Make sure you send us:

The fee payable depends on the Non-Domestic Rateable Value (NDRV) of the premises, and other factors. You can find the NDRV for your premises on the Valuation Office Agency website.

Cash can only be accepted if paying in person. Please do not send cash in the post.

What to send to the other Responsible Authorities

Send a copy of everything on the list above to each of the other Responsible Authorities, except the cheque in payment of the fee.

The Responsible Authorities you need to send copies to for a new Premises Licence application are:

• Thames Valley Police
• The Planning Authority
• Environmental Protection
• Health and Safety (but see note below)
• Fire and Rescue Service
• Social and Health Care
• Trading Standards

Contact details for all these bodies can be found on our Licensing Contacts page.

Note that City and County Council premises and all educational institutions are dealt with by the Health and Safety Executive rather than Health and Safety at the City Council. Please make sure you copy your application to the appropriate authorities in these cases.

Useful documents

Checklist (60kB PDF)

You may find this helpful in ensuring you have completed your application correctly.

Page last reviewed 14 May 2012