Apply for a premises licence

You will need to apply for a premises licence if your business plans to do any of the following: 

• supply alcohol
• play live or recorded music
• show or host film events
• sell hot food after 11pm and before 5am
• host boxing or wrestling entertainment
• host indoor sporting events
• put on performances of a play 

If you plan to sell alcohol you will also need a personal licence for your designated premises supervisor - the person in charge of the day-to-day running of the business.

How much a premises licence costs

The cost of a premises licence is based on the rateable value of your business and can range from £100 to £635. If your premises is a school, community hall or open space and doesn't have a rateable value, it will fall into the lowest fee band. 

You need to pay a fee to apply and a fee for each year that you have the licence. The annual fee will be charged after the first year. This will cover the previous year, and any arrears until you surrender your licence.

There are increased fees for exceptionally large-scale commercial events with over 4,999 people attending. Normally, if the event is ticketed and profits are not going to a registered charity then the increased fee will apply. To find out if you will need to pay it, please contact our licensing team. 

A licence is valid for as long as the business lasts or until it is revoked or surrendered.  

You can read the licensing act policy statement for more details before applying.

Apply for a premises licence