Licensing

Licensable Activities

People responsible for premises that hold any of the following activities are required to apply for the relevant licences under the Licensing Act 2003 (www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2003/ukpga_20030017_en_1):

• the sale, by retail, of alcohol;
• the supply of alcohol by or on behalf of a club to a member of the club;
• the provision of regulated entertainment (plays, films, live music, recorded music, dancing, boxing and wrestling, indoor sporting events);
• the provision of late night refreshment (hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am).

Types of Licences

These are:

• Personal Licence - licensee and staff for alcohol establishments.
• Premises Licence - required for licensable activities.
• Club Premises Certificate - registered clubs.
• Temporary Event Notice (TEN) - permission for small-scale events.

Alcohol Establishments - Designated Premises Supervisors

If you want a premises licence authorised for sale of retail of alcohol you will be required to appoint a

Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) - the overall Responsible Licensee.

At any time the premises licence holder can apply to change the DPS when an exisiting appointed DPS leaves the premises.  For further guidance please read on how to apply to Vary to specify a DPS.

Premises Licence Holders

This can be any person, business or partnership who must be carrying on a business which involves the use of a premises for licensable activities.

At any time when the property is sold, lease, tenancy etc is changed and it is being operated by different person(s) then you will need to apply to Transfer a Premises Licence Holder.  

Every Premises Licence will have the details of who currently holds the licence.  This is also listed on the Premises Licence Summary which is displayed at the licensed premises.

If you are applying for a new Premises Licence you will complete the details of the Premises Licence Holder in your application.

Licensing Objectives

All applications will be considered on their individual merits and will be based on these four objectives.

• The Prevention of Crime and Disorder
• Public Safety
• The Prevention of Public Nuisance
• The Protection of Children from Harm

Statement of Licensing Policy

This outlines the way the council, as the Licensing Authority, is implementing the legislation. The policy (pdf 175KB) can be downloaded. To use it, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have this on your computer, please use our advice page.

Further information to assist you in understanding the requirements of this legislation can be found on this website by following the links at the top of this page.

Public Representations to Applications and Complaints Procedure

A member of the public can make a representation in relation to any licensing application from a premises in the vicinity of where you live. For more information please read how to make a representation.

If you wish to make a complaint in relation to a current licensed premises, please read the information on who to contact depending on the grounds for your complaint.

Public Register

The public licensing register is not available on this website. If you require information from the register, please contact the licensing team using the contact details at the foot of this page. Outline what information you require and arrange an appointment to study the register.

It is free for the public to come to the council and inspect the information from the register. However, there is a charge if you wish this information to be photocopied or sent to you in the post or electronically. The current charge is £10 for the full register and £1 per page.

The information available to you through the register is:

• a list of premises that are licensed in the Medway area (this can be broken down into types of premises, such as pubs, takeaways; areas e.g. wards, towns or post codes);
• details of who is the premises licence holder;
• the hours and activities authorised (this can be broken down by hours, for example, all premises that operate after midnight, or by types of activities for which they have been granted permission, such as all premises that sell alcohol on the premises).

The register is in three parts:

• applications received;
• licences granted;
• details of reviews.

Licensing Hearing Panels and Reviews

Find out more about the procedures for licensing hearing panels and licensing reviews.

Changes to Legislation

Please see our summary of changes to legislation over the last five years.

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