Club Premises Certificate

Licensing Act 2003 - Club Premises Certificates

Club Premises Certificates are issued under the Licensing Act 2003 and authorise the supply of alcohol on behalf of a club to, or to the order of, a member of the club and certain types of entertainment. These are known as qualifying club activities. Only clubs that satisfy the requirements of a qualifying club can hold a Club Premises Certificate.

Further details of the Licensing Act 2003 and the Councils Statement of Licensing Policy can be viewed at the Councils general alcohol and entertainment page.

The following activities will require a club premises certificate under the Licensing Act 2003.

Supply of alcohol on behalf of a club to members and their bona fide guests.

Provision of qualifying club activities for members and their bona fide guests including:

• the performance of a play;
• an exhibition of a film;
• an indoor sporting event;
• a boxing or wrestling entertainment;
• a performance of live music;
• any playing of recorded music;
• a performance of dance.

As part of the application process, you will need to confirm that you are a qualifying club. To do this you must show that you meet the conditions specified by the Act. In order to obtain a Premises Licence, you will need to make an application to the Licensing Authority along with payment of the application fee. There is also a consultation period and you will need to advertise the application.

Licence Summary

A summary of this type of licence is given above.

Eligibility criteria

To be a qualifying club it must satisfy the following conditions:

• a person may not be given memberships or as a candidate for membership to any membership privileges without an interval of at least two days from their membership application or nomination and their membership being granted,
• that club rules state that those becoming member without nomination or application cannot have membership privileges for at least two days between them becoming members and being admitted to the club,
• that the club is established and conducted in good faith,
• that the club has at least 25 members and
• that alcohol is only supplied to members on the premises on behalf or by the club.

Regulation summary

A summary of the regulations can be found here

Application Evaluation Process

Applications must be sent to the licensing authority for the area where the club is located. They must be in a specific format and be accompanied by the fee and a plan of the premises.

Applicants will be required to advertise their application and to give notice of it to the responsible authorities specified by the Licensing Act 2003. Further information on applying for a club premises certificate can be obtained from the Licensing Section

If representations are received objecting to the application a hearing must be held to determine whether or not to grant the licence.

Will tacit consent apply?

Yes, if no representation has been received within the representation period. This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the local authority by the end of the target completion period. If a valid representation is received a public hearing must be held before the application can be determined. Please contact your local authority in the first instance.

Tacit consent does not apply where a representation is received or to applications for a Minor Variation.

Apply online

Apply for a new club premises certificate

Apply for a minor variation to your club premises certificate

Apply for a variation to your club premises certificate

Tell us about a change to your existing details or club rules

Make an annual fee payment for a club premises certificate

Failed application redress

Please contact your local authority in the first instance.

A failed applicant will receive notice of the refusal and may appeal the decision to the local magistrates' court within 21 days of the decision appealed

Licence holder redress

Please contact your local authority in the first instance.

A failed applicant will receive notice of the refusal and may appeal the decision to the local magistrates' court within 21 days of the decision appealed

Consumer complaint

An interested party or responsible authority may apply to the licensing authority to review the premises licence. A hearing will be held by the licensing authority. Appeals are made to a magistrates' court within 21 days of notice of the decision.

Other redress

The chief police officer for the police area where the premises are located can apply to the licensing authority for a review of a Club Premises Certificate where a senior officer is of the opinion that the premises are associated with either serious crime or disorder or both. A hearing will be held and the licence holder and other interested parties may make representations.

A chief police officer can give a notice to the licensing authority if they believe that the transfer of a licence to another, under a variation application could undermine crime prevention objectives. Such notice must be given within 14 days of receiving notification of the application.

An interested party or responsible body may make representations in relation to a licence application or request the licensing body to review a licence.

An interested party or responsible authority may apply to the licensing authority to review the premises licence. A hearing will be held by the licensing authority.

An interested party or relevant authority who made relevant representations may appeal against the granting of a licence or against any condition, variation, licensable activity or premises supervisor decisions.

Appeals are made to a magistrates' court within 21 days of notice of the decision.

Trade associations

Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations (FLVA) [External]