Variations to Premises Licences or Club Premises Certificates

Minor Variations

Minor variations are much simpler. Always use them where possible.

The application fee is lower, advertising requirements are reduced, and the application process is quicker. Allowed changes include:

• Small changes to the layout of a premises (such as a change in the position of the bar).
• The addition of new licensable activities not related to sale or supply of alcohol.
• Small changes to allowed hours for licensable activities, not related to the sale or supply of alcohol.
• Revisions, voluntary additions or removals of operating conditions (e.g. where irrelevant or unenforceable).

Major Variations

Major variations are an essentially equivalent process to a new application.

Success or failure of your major variation application does not affect your current permission to sell or supply alcohol. Changes to licences or certificates viewed as major include:

• Changes to the sale or supply of alcohol (adding this licensable activity, or increasing hours for sale or supply of alcohol).
• Extension of opening hours for the licensed premises or club.
• Significant changes to the layout of the premises or club - such as adding usage of a beer garden.

Application Advertisement

Minor Variations

Minor variations must be advertised by way of:

A white site notice: in statutory form; at least A4; with size 16pt font; and with a white background. We provide the notice for printing by the client.

• The notice must be displayed at the premises on a 24hr basis for 10 days after application acceptance.
• The notice must unobscured, visible to passers-by, and displayed at multiple points for larger premises.

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Major Variations

Major variations must be advertised by way of:

A blue site notice: in statutory form; at least A4; with size 16pt font; and with a pale blue background. We provide the notice for printing by the client.

• The notice must be displayed at the premises on a 24hr basis for 28 days after application acceptance.
• The notice must unobscured, visible to passers-by, and displayed at multiple points for larger premises.

A newspaper public notice: in statutory form, to be published in a print newspaper covering the post code of the premises. We prepare the public notice.

• The public notice must be published within 10 working days of submission. We request quotes and publication schedules in advance.
• We confirm formal acceptance of the application before publishing. Proof of publication will be obtained and provided to the Licensing Authority.

Application Process & Fees

Minor Variations

The application process for minor variations is as follows:

• Preparation and submission of your minor variation application form generally takes us 1 week.
• After the Licensing Authority accepts your application, a 10-day consultation begins. The licensing authority will consult other relevant responsible authorities such as the police.
• If the licensing authority fails to respond to you within 15 days your application is refused and the authority must return your fee.
• If your application is rejected, there is no right to a licensing hearing. However, you may then apply for a major variation.

Fee and Costs:

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Major Variations

The application process for major variations is as follows:

• Preparation and submission of your premises licence variation application or club premises certificate variation application generally takes us 1-2 weeks.
• After the Licensing Authority accepts your application, a 28-day consultation begins. Police (crime risks), environmental health (noise/odour), and any interested parties including residents can object. We will attempt to resolve objections by informal negotiation.
• Without objections, the licence is granted automatically, which we'll confirm before you begin alcohol sales. If objections arise that can't be resolved informally, a licensing hearing will be required before you can begin sales.

Fee and Costs:

• The Licensing Authority fee is generally £190 but depends on the business rateable value of the premises. You can find your rateable value via the Government website .

• Check your fee:

  Rateable Value (£)

  Council Fee

  £190

Costs summary:

Where objections are raised against a premises licence application a licensing hearing may be required to determine grant of the licence. We charge additional fees to assist with licensing hearings.

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