Alcohol, regulated entertainment, and late night refreshment

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A new premises licence application (or variation) includes a statutory consultation period of twenty-eight days. During the consultation responsible authorities*, residents and businesses must be notified through formal advertising requirements and have the opportunity to make a representation for or against the application. 

We will discuss your business plan with you to understand what licence(s) you need, consider the impact on the locality, and assess the local authority licensing policy. This will enable us to recommend trading hours and operating schedule conditions to you in the hope of ensuring no objections from responsible authorities or others.

We take care of every procedural step, including application submission, advertising preparation, liaison with responsible authorities, and responding to any queries or representations. Throughout the process we will keep you fully informed and provide clear, practical guidance. This should result in a successful application that is sustainable without undue administrative burden that strikes a balance between promoting business and promoting the statutory licensing objectives of:

• the prevention of crime and disorder
• the prevention of public nuisance
• public safety
• the protection of children from harm

If no objections are received, the application is automatically granted at the end of the consultation period. If objections are received which cannot be resolved by mediation, the application must be referred to a formal licensing hearing in front of local authority Councillors.

 
* Police, Fire, Trading Standards, Environmental Health (Noise), Environmental Health (Health & Safety), Planning, Children Safeguarding Board, Licensing Authority, Public Health, Home Office (Immigration) 

What we will do:

• Discuss your specific requirements and suggest suitable licensed hours and activities to cater for current and future plans (including any seasonal timings for public holidays, special events, etc.)
• Pre-app liaison with responsible authorities for managing and mitigating potential objections
• Recommend reasonable and proportionate operating schedule conditions to satisfy potential responsible authority or resident concerns 
• Completion of the statutory licensing application form (seeking your approval before submission)
• Checking of the premises layout plan (supplied by you) to ensure compliance with the statutory requirements
• Submission of the application form and associated documentation to the licensing authority and responsible authorities
• Determination of the premises rateable value which determines the statutory fee payable to the local authority
• Preparation of the public notice to be displayed at the premises with instructions on when to display
• Preparation of the public notice to be published in the local press
• Post application mediation with responsible authorities, residents, or businesses that have submitted objections with a view to avoiding the need for a statutory licensing hearing

What's not included:

• Payment of the application fee to the local authority (this payment should be made directly to the local authority by the applicant based on the advice given by us)
• Preparation of the layout plan of the premises to be submitted with the application
• Arranging the publication of the public notice in the local press and payment of the advertising fee
• If objections are received and mediation is unsuccessful, attendance at a formal licensing hearing (see next section)

What we will do:

• Continue to mediate with objectors up to the date of the licensing hearing
• Prepare documentation to address concerns raised for presentation at the hearing
• Discuss with you possible licence conditions or amendments to licensing timings and activities (if appropriate) to address objections
• Brief you on your oral submission for the licensing hearing
• Act as your representative at the hearing and be your main spokesman to the Councillors
• Submission of the application form and associated documentation to the licensing authority and responsible authorities
• Highlight any appropriate case law, statutory guidance, or local authority licensing policy that supports your application
• Attend the hearing (whether virtual or in person) with you
• After the decision, if unsuccessful, practical and clear advice on next steps e.g. formal appeal to the Magistrates Court

What's not included:

• Representation at a Magistrates Court appeal (although this additional service could be provided upon request)