Alcohol and Entertainment - Premises

On this page: Detailed information about applying for a Premise Licences, including links to both online and downloadable forms. 

Licence Details

A Premises Licence is required for any building where alcohol is sold or supplied, or where regulated entertainment and/or late night refreshments are provided. Where alcohol is sold there must be a 'Designated Premises Supervisor', and that person must have a Personal Licence.

Swindon Borough Council's Licensing Statement provides a clear indication of what the Licensing Committee thinks is important (in terms of the Licensing Act 2003), and what the 'flavour' of licensing is in Swindon. 

Establishments Requiring a Licence

If you run any of the following establishments, you will probably need a Premises Licence:

• Public house
• Off licence
• Take-away
• Mobile food van

Who Might Apply

Any of the following can apply for a premises licence:

• A person who carries on a business in the premises to which the application relates.
• A recognised club (please note : Some clubs qualify for a slightly simpler alternative to the Premises Licence - a Club Premises Certificate for which there is no need for anyone to hold a Personal Licence).
• A charity.
• A health service body.
• A person who is registered under the Care Standards Act 2000 in relation to an independent hospital.
• A chief police officer of a force in England and Wales.
• Anyone discharging a statutory or function under Her Majesty's prerogative.
• The proprietor of an educational institute.
• Any other permitted person as set out in regulation.

Some clubs qualify for a slightly simpler alternative to the Premises Licence - a Club Premises Certificate for which there is no need for anyone to hold a Personal Licence.

Minimum Age

Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.

Regulated Entertainment

This is 'entertainment provided in the presence of an audience, for the purpose of entertaining that audience'. It includes sporting events and dances, karaoke machines, etc.

Alcohol

If alcohol is involved, someone will have to hold a Personal Licence, in order to 'switch on' the Premises Licence.

Only holders of a Personal Licence can authorise other people to sell alcohol at a bar or checkout, unless a Temporary Event Notice is in force, when there is no official need for any personal licence holders at all.

Provisional Statements

This is another name for an advance application for a Premises Licence - used for an empty building site or somewhere which is about to undergo a major upgrade.

The mechanism is cumbersome, still leaves uncertainty and doubles the cost, so it is almost never used and applicants usually apply for a normal Premises Licence instead.

Objections/Representations

Objections are officially known as 'representations', and a letter in support of an application is also a representation.

Not everyone is allowed to comment. Aside from the obvious invitations to the Police, Fire Brigade, Trading Standards, Noise Team, etc., the right to comment is limited to people who live close enough to be affected by a commotion or loud music at the venue or businesses which are similarly close.

Noise or disturbance caused by customers from the venue as they head home is a separate Police matter. It is not enough on its own to challenge a Premises Licence.

Organisations, but not individual people, have the right to speak out on behalf of residents or businesses.

Any Swindon Borough Council councillor can comment on any application.

Validity

A Premises Licence remains valid until it is revoked, suspended or surrendered (unless it is specifically granted for a certain period to cover, for example, a music festival).

There is an annual fee to be paid.

Licence Display

A short version of every Premises Licence must be displayed on the premises.

Fees

Fees are based on the rateable value of the premises to be licensed, which can be checked on the Valuations Office Agency website.

One-Off Events 

A premises licence application may also be submitted for one-off large scale events, for example when an event is likely to attract over 500 people which is outside of the limits set for serving a Temporary Event Notice. 

Application Forms

Online Form

Premises Licence Online Application Form

Downloadable Form

The forms are also available as a downloadable PDF file: 

Premises Licence Application Form

Pay Online

You can pay for a Premises Licence using our secure online payment system:

Pay for a Premises Licence Online

Transfer

A Premises Licence can be transferred to a new licence holder, either if the existing licence holder consents or if the licence holder has become insolvent during the past seven days, or if consent cannot be obtained but the applicant is ready and able to run a business at the premises. Transfer can be instant but may be objected to by the police later.

Normally, the application form needs to be accompanied by the consent form.

Fee

The fee is £23.

The following application forms are available where an existing licence needs to be varied (i.e. amended).

Premises Licence Variation

A premises licence can be varied (i.e. amended) in a process almost identical to a premises licence application from scratch. The application fee is calculated in the same way.

Forms

Vary a Premises Licence Online Application Form

Vary a Premises Licence Application Form

Vary Designated Premises Supervisor

This is a simple, formal procedure.

The variation is normally put into effect immediately. The nominated person must sign the official form, agreeing to be the designated premises supervisor.

There is no need to advertise the application, but it must go to the police.

The fee for this variation is £23.

Forms

Vary a Premises Licence Designated Premises Supervisor Online Application Form

Vary a Premises Licence Designated Premises Supervisor application form

Transfer of Ownership of the Licence

This application only needs to be applied for through Swindon Borough Council.

It must include a declaration from the existing holder of the licence agreeing to its transfer (please see Form of Consent - Existing Licence below).

The fee is £23.

Alternatively, you may simply apply for an additional Premises Licence, as there is no limit to how many licences can be held for one property.

Forms

Transfer a Premises Licence Online Application Form

Transfer a Premises Licence Application Form

Notification of an Interest

If you have a land interest in a property (e.g. a freehold) you can ask for active notification of any changes to a licence that applies to it, for a period of a year. But this does not give you any right to be consulted.

The one-off fee is £21.

Forms

Notification of an Interest Online Application Form

Notification of an Interest Application Form.pdf

Change of Address

There is no special form to use when telling us about address changes; you simply need to write to us (please see Contact Us).

The fee is £10.50.

Interim Authority

This allows for the continuation of a licence - e.g. when the licence holder dies or is made bankrupt.

There is no form; you simply need to write to us (please see Contact Us).

The fee is £23.

Forms

Interim Authority Notice Online Application Form

Interim Authority Notice Application Form

Provisional Statement

A Provisional Statement is an alternative to applying for a Premises Licence directly, when new premises are being built or existing premises are being altered dramatically.

There already seems to be a consensus that the permitted alternative of applying for a Premises Licence is invariably more attractive and  Provisional Statements are hardly ever used. You may wish to seek legal advise before using this facility.

The application fee is £315, regardless of the rateable value.

Forms

Provisional Statement Online Application Form

Provisional Statement Application Form

Disclosure of Convictions

Forms

Disclosure of Convictions Declaration Online Application Form

Disclosure of Convictions Declaration Application Form

Form of Consent - Existing Licence

This form should be used by a person who holds the existing licence, in order to transfer it to a new licence holder.

Forms

Form of consent - Existing Licence Online Application Form 

Form of Consent - Existing Licence Application Form

Consent of Individual

This form should be used by a person being specified as a Designated Premises Supervisor.

Consent of Individual - Designated Premises Supervisor application form

Further Information

This subject is covered by the Licensing Act 2003 - for details please see the Department for Culture, Media and Sport website.