Transfer of premises licence

If you wish to take over a premises licence either as an individual or company, you must first get consent from the existing licence holder to prove that they agree to the transfer. 

Before you apply

Get consent

Complete the consent form before submitting your application.

• If you can’t get consent, you must provide a valid reason and proof as to why. Details of valid reasons are listed on back of the consent form.
• If the existing licence holder has become insolvent, please refer to the insolvency guidance on the back of the consent form.

• Download the consent form

  Download this document: Download the consent form (DOCX: 27 KB)

  Last updated: 20/12/2023

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Read the guidance notes

Read the application guidance notes before you apply. You will need to confirm that you have read these when you make your application.

• Application guidance notes

  Download this document: Application guidance notes (PDF: 221 KB)

  This note provides guidance on completing the application form for transfer a premises licence to another party.

Provide proof of right to work in the UK

If you’re applying as an individual, you must also 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.

• Acceptable forms of proof of right to work in the UK

  Download this document: Acceptable forms of proof of right to work in the UK (PDF: 232 KB)

  This guidance includes a list of acceptable documents you can provide as proof of right to work in the UK.

How to apply

Once you have done all of the above, you can apply online to transfer the licence.

The application fee to transfer a premises licence is £23.

• You will be prompted to upload a scanned copy or clear photograph of your completed consent form (or reasons why you haven’t been able to get consent).
• You will be prompted to upload a copy of the premises licence or advise why you cannot.
• If applying as an individual, you will be prompted to upload a scanned copy or clear photograph of proof of your right to work document or share code, so please have this ready.
• On submit, your application will automatically be sent to the Licensing Authority, Merseyside Police and Home Office Immigration Enforcement.
• On submit, you will be directed to our payment portal to make your payment.

Apply and pay online

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

Application approval

If we receive a relevant representation within 14 days, there will be a hearing to determine the outcome of your application. We would contact you directly in this case.

If we don’t receive any representations your application is automatically approved and the transfer will take effect from the date you have specified in your application and we will send you a revised premises licence and licence summary.