CITY OF LONDON

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City of London > Services > Business > Licences and street trading > Licensing Act 2003

Licensing Act 2003 


If you or your business:

  • sell alcohol
  • provide public entertainment, such as live music, theatre or cinema
  • sell hot food or drink after 11pm

You must apply for a licence or certificate.

A summary of the eligibility criteria for premises licences & club premises certificates

For an application form please use the correct link below.

Businesses affected by the law include restaurants, late-night takeaways, off licences, convenience stores, hotels and guesthouses, village or community halls, theatres, concert halls and music venues, indoor sports venues and centres, pleasure boats and other vessels, members’ clubs, cinemas, pubs and bars, nightclubs and supermarkets.

This list is not exhaustive. If you are unsure about whether you need a licence, contact the licensing team for advice.

Applicants for and holders of licences for the public performance of music should be aware that other organisations have rights over the material used in public performances.

Further information is available from:

Performing Rights Society Ltd.
0845 300 60 33
www.prsformusic.com

Phonographic Performances Ltd.
020 7534 1000
http://www.ppluk.com/

A fee set by Government will apply to all applications for premises and personal licences.

Forms are available below to download and contact details are shown below to obtain a paper copy.

From 25 April 2012 there have been some changes to the Licensing Act 2003. A summary of these changes can be found below.

Changes to Licensing Act 2003 (16kb)

Public register

The public register can be accessed on line here. Link to public register

If you would prefer you can contact the licensing team either by email  at licensing@cityoflondon.gov.uk  or ring on 020 7332 3406 .

Application forms

Apply by Post

The application forms may be downloaded below or from the Department for Culture Media and Sport website and sent to the address below with the supporting documentation.

Please could all applicants ensure that they are aware of the London Olympic and Paralympics Games Act 2006 and all other relevant Olympic legislation in relation to the Olympic brand and symbols associated with the olympics. It would be useful if applicants are able to confirm the above when making an application.

Personal licence forms  

For persons wishing to obtain a Personal Licence or to renew a Personal Licence.

Application for a personal licence (50kb) 
Application to renew a personal licence (49kb) 
Disclosure of convictions and declaration (47kb)

Premises licences and club premises certificates forms

For applications for new premises licences and club premises certificates.

Application for a premises licence (156kb)
Application for a provisional statement (154kb) 
Application to vary a premises licence (140kb)
Application for minor variation of a premises licence (56kb)
Application to vary a premises licence to specify DPS (78kb)                       
DPS Consent Form (29kb) 
Application to transfer a premises licence (33kb) 
Transfer consent form (14kb)
Interim Authority Notice (81kb) 
Notification of an interest in premises under 178 (70kb)
Application for a club premises certificate (133kb) 
Declaration for a club premise certificate to be granted Part A (61kb) 
Application to vary a club premises certificate (110kb) 
Application for the review of a premises licence or club premises certificate (23kb)
Department of Culture Media and Sport Guidance on applying for a review (2.27mb)
Responsible Authorities (48kb)
City of London Fees List (53kb)

Advertising Applications in a Local Newspaper (4kb)

More information regarding applying for a licence can be found on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport website

Model conditions

The City of London Corporation has the responsibility of granting Premises Licences subject to conditions which it considers are appropriate to the promotion of the four licensing objectives set out under the Licensing Act 2003.

When applying for a new Premises Licence or Club Premises Certificate, or to vary an existing licence, the applicant must ensure that when licensable activities are taking place the four licensing objectives are promoted.

Conditions attached to a licence or certificate are the steps or actions the holder of the Premises Licence or Club Premises Certificate will be required to take, or refrain from taking, at all times when licensable activities are taking place at the premises in question. Conditions are required to be clear, necessary and enforceable and must be expressed in terms that are unequivocal and unsambiguous. Further, such conditions should be open, transparent and reasonable.

Conditions must not be applied universally and treated as standard conditions. Licensing conditions are to be tailored to the size, style, characteristics and activities taking place at the premises concerned. Licensing conditions are not required where other regulatory regimes provide sufficient protection to the public eg Fire Safety Legislation.

The pool of model conditions below is neither exclusive nor exhaustive. The model conditions relate to the four licensing objectives and can be used where necessary and appropriate to the particular circumstances of individual premises.

The pool of model conditions does not restrict any applicant, responsible authority, or interested party from proposing any alternative conditions nor would it restrict a licensing sub-committee from imposing any reasonable condition on a licence it considers necessary for the promotion of the licensing objectives.

Pool of model conditions (18kb)

Further information relating to conditions can be found in the amended guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 which can be found by clicking on the following link:

Section 182 Guidance

Information can also be found within the City of London Corporation's 2011 Licensing Policy which can be found here:

Licensing Policy (221kb)

Public hearings

In respect of applications for licences where the City of London receives representations from responsible authorities, such as the police, or from interested parties, including nearby residents, the matter is likely to be determined at a public hearing. Full details of the procedure for public hearings, held by a Sub-Committee of the City of London Licensing Committee, are available to download below:

Public hearings procedure (41kb)

Licensing Service Policy (69kb)

For advice on making representations or appealing decisions made by the Licensing Committee please see the guidance provided by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Temporary event notices

A summary of the eligibility criteria for this licence

Temporary Event Notice form (83kb)

Should you require a printed copy of The Statement of Licensing Policy or application forms please contact:

City of London
Licensing Service
Environmental Health & Public Protection
PO Box 270
Guildhall
London EC2P 2EJ

Tel 020 7332 3406
Fax 020 7332 3536
or email licensing@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Apply for a temporary event notice online 

Apply Online

Premises Licence

Please complete the appropriate application from the list below. You will be able to pay either by cheque at the time of application or pay online once you have been given a reference number for your application.

Apply for a premises licence

Apply for a provisional statement

Apply for a Designated Premises Supervisor to be disapplied

Tell us about a minor change to your premises

Apply to vary your premises licence

Apply to transfer your premises licence

Notify us of an interest in premises under section 178

Interim authority notice

Notify us of your request to be removed as designated premises supervisor

Tell us about a change to your existing application to vary a premises licence to specify an individual as designated premises supervisor

Notify us of a change of name or address

Extend or renew your annual fee payment

Consent to transfer

Consent to be designated

Club Premises Certificate

Apply for a new club premises certificate

Application for a variation to a club premises certificate

Notification of change of details or club rules

Application for a minor variation to a premises or club licence

Make annual payment for a club licence

Licensing Act 2003 - Premises Licence Applications

View Premises Licence Applications or, for more detail, you may visit us at:

Department of Environmental Services
Environmental Health & Public Protection

Walbrook Wharf
78-83 Upper Thames St
London
EC4R 3TD

Please ring first on 020 7332 3406

Statement of Licensing Policy 2011

The City of London Corporation has published its newly reviewed Statement of Licensing Policy in January 2011 under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003. This policy sets out the manner in which licensing applications for the sale and supply of alcohol, the provision of regulated entertainment and the provision of late night refreshment are considered.

The legislation currently requires the policy to be reviewed at three yearly intervals and this is the second review of the original statement from January 2005.

Download Statement of Licensing Policy here (221kb) 

Alternatively, download the

Full colour licensing policy brochure (5.8mb)

Whilst this policy must be reviewed every three years the City Corporation will keep its policy under review within this period and make such revisions as it considers appropriate.

The policy has been revised to reflect changing circumstances and any relevant concerns and comments received during the consultation in 2010. The main changes include the expectation for applicants and premises to

  • conduct detailed risk assessments of their businesses
  • provide acoustic reports
  • state how outside areas will be managed to prevent nuisance to neighbours for example by restricting numbers of patrons outside the premises
  • work with other licensees in the area to combat nuisance caused by night-time visitors creating a disturbance in the street
  • to have a safe capacity figure for bars/pubs/clubs
  • notify any proposed changes to the existing Operating Schedule to the Licensing Authority who may require a new application/variation to be submitted.

The new policy will continue to focus upon promoting the four statutory Licensing Objectives:

  • prevention of crime and disorder
  • public safety
  • prevention of public nuisance; and
  • protection of children from harm

If you have any queries please contact us on licensing@cityoflondon.gov.uk or phone 020 7332 3406.


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