Licensing and permits

Premises licence: Variation applications

There may be a reason why you wish to vary a premises licence, such as to include further licensable activities or alter existing activities and operating times allowed by the premises licence.

Applying to vary a premises licence does not change any planning permissions or existing conditions under planning legislation. You must check the existing terms to ensure you can trade as intended.

Government guidance states that the variation application process cannot be used to 'vary substantially the premises to which the licence relates'. If you think your proposals could vary substantially the layout or operation of the premises, please contact us before you submit an application so we can consider if a variation or new application would be appropriate.

Before you apply

Download the guidance notes which explain policy issues, applicable fees, how to complete the application and the required notification of the application. You must also download the notice to advertise the application at the premises and in the local paper.

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

  • Application guidance notes

    Download this document: Application guidance notes (PDF: 231 KB)

    This document provides guidance on completing the application form for the variation of a premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003. You should read this before submitting your application.

  • Notice for advertising application

    Download this document: Notice for advertising application (DOCX: 85 KB)

    Use this template and display it at the premises. It must remain in place for no less than 28 consecutive days starting from the date you submit your application to the council.

  • 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

Read 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 premises licence ready to upload or reason why you don't have it
  • scanned copy of your plans (if applicable)
  • a credit or debit card to pay the fee online

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 the the responsible authorities.

Apply online to vary a premises licence

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

If the fee is not paid, the application will not arrive in our system. Once paid, we will receive your application and notification of payment.

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 we receive payment for 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 on the day of the hearing.