Licensing and permits

Premises licence: New applications

We can grant a premises licence for a business supplying alcohol or entertainment or late night refreshment, on or off the premises.

Obtaining a premises licence does not mean you have planning approval. You must check any existing conditions under planning legislation and apply separately for planning permission, or change of use, to trade as intended.

Before you apply

Please download and read the guidance notes below before you apply. They explain the application process, applicable fees and the supporting documentation you'll need in order to submit a valid application.

We also recommend you read our Licensing Policy Statement before making an application.

  • Application guidance notes

    Download this document: Application guidance notes (DOCX: 93 KB)

    This guidance explains the application process, including the supporting documentation you need to submit. Read these notes before you make an application.

  • Licensing Policy Statement 2021-26

    Download this document: Licensing Policy Statement 2021-26 (PDF: 479 KB)

    The licensing authority (the council) is required under the Licensing Act to publish its five-year Licensing Policy Statement which was approved by full council on 20th January 2021.

    First published: 20/01/2021

Provide proof of right to work in the UK

If you’re applying as an individual, you must provide proof that you have the right to work in the UK and are not subject to a condition preventing you from doing work relating to the licensable activity – this is applicable to all individual applicants, including those born in the UK. If you do not submit your proof document or share code, we cannot process your application.

Get DPS consent and download legal notice

You will also need to download and use:

  • the notice for advertising the application at the premises and in the local paper
  • the consent form that has to be completed by the proposed Designated Premises Supervisor and attached to any application that includes the sale of alcohol

Read the list of model conditions

We have produced a list of model conditions to help you draft the contents of your operating schedule in your application. The schedule should set out the steps you will take to promote the four licensing objectives if your application is granted.

Apply online

You will need the following to hand:

  • a scanned copy of your plans
  • a scanned copy or clear photograph of the completed Designated Premises Supervisor consent form and, if applying as an individual, you can attach proof of the right to work in the UK or enter your share code.

Once you have submitted your application you will be transferred to our secure payment portal to pay the fee. However, if the fee you need to pay is over £635, you will receive instructions on how to pay by BACS.

Fees are automatically calculated based on the premises rateable value, any multiplier fees and the capacity of the venue. These are detailed in the guidance document.

A copy of your application will automatically be sent to the responsible authorities.

Apply online for a premises licence

Read our privacy notice which tells you how we use your data.

What happens next?

We will review your application as soon as possible. If you have completed it correctly, we will process it. If you have not completed it correctly, we will contact you to make the necessary amendments before we can process it. If you are unable to correct them, we will advise you to resubmit your application. 

If we do not receive any representations, we will process and determine your application within 28 days, starting the day after you submit the application. We will issue your licence shortly after.

If we receive a representation notice from a responsible authority or any other person, we will let you know. If representations cannot be resolved, we will invite you to a hearing to determine the outcome of your application. We will contact you if this is the case. The Licensing sub-committee will determine your application usually on the day of the hearing.