Apply for a club premises certificate

Applying for a club premises certificate

You can apply online using the GOV.UK website.

If you prefer you can download the forms here:

• Application form - club premises certificate - part A
• Application form - club premises certificate - part B

We recommend you read the following advice before you apply.

• Guidelines for applicants - club premises certificates
• Guidelines for clubs about club premises certificates

What you need to apply for a club premises certificate

You must provide the following:

• Plan of the premises
• Copy of the club rules
• Operating schedule

Operating schedule

The operating schedule explains how you propose to operate. It includes:

• What activities will take place
• The proposed hours
• The duration of the certificate (if appropriate)
• Whether alcohol will be consumed on or off the premises
• What steps you will take to promote the licensing objectives set out in the Licensing Act 2003:
  
  • Prevention of crime and disorder
  • Ensuring public safety
  • Prevention of public nuisance
  • Protection of children from harm

Find out how to write an operating schedule.

Plans of the premises

You must supply a scale plan of the premises. These plans should also be colour-coded for clarity.

Find out about the format required for the plans.

Fees for the certificate

The fee for the certificate will depend on the non-domestic rateable value of the premises. See our alcohol and entertainments fees and charges page for further details.

Notifying the responsible authorities

You must submit a full copy of the application and all accompanying documents to each of the 'responsible authorities' (for example, the chief police officer or the fire and rescue authority) on the day you apply.

You can find a full list of responsible authorities with contact details on our useful licensing contacts page.

If you do not do this your application will be invalid.

The responsible authorities and any other person have 28 days to object to your application.

Advertising your application

You must advertise your application in the local newspaper and with a site notice.

How to advertise your application in a local newspaper and with a site notice

What happens once we receive your application

We will check that:

• The application is correctly completed
• The club is a 'qualifying club'
• The 'responsible authorities' have a copy
• It has been advertised correctly

If there is a problem with the application

If there is a problem with the application we may contact you for further information or return the application (or part of it) for your attention.

What happens if we receive objections to your application

We will hold a hearing of our licensing sub-committee to decide on the application (unless all parties agree that a hearing is not necessary). We will tell you about the arrangements for the hearing.

The sub-committee may choose to grant, amend or refuse the application or apply conditions.

How long it takes to decide your application

• We allow 28 days for objections to your application to be raised
• If we receive no objections, we will grant your certificate the day after the last date objections can be made
• If we need to hold a hearing, this will start within 20 working days (after the last date for objections). We will give you at least ten working days' notice of the date of the hearing.

If we refuse your application

If we refuse the application, we will tell you of our decision in writing, together with the reasons for refusal and your rights of appeal.

We will also tell you what you need to do to appeal and the time in which you have to do it.