Apply for a personal alcohol licence

You need to get a personal alcohol licence if you:

• are designated as the premises supervisor (DPS) on a premises Licence for a premises where alcohol is to be sold
• want to sell alcohol under a premises licence or authorise others to sell alcohol under a premises licence
• if you want to use more than 5 Temporary Event Notices in each calendar year

You can only apply if you have not forfeited a personal licence in the last 5 years.

You must be 18 or over to apply and pay the statutory £37 fee.

Your application must include:

• your award for Personal Licence Holders (level 2) certificate
• a basic criminal record certificate issued within the last month
• 2 certified passport photos (certified by a solicitor or professional individual)
• a copy of your proof of entitlement to work in the UK, such as a passport or residence permit

We'll issue your licence within a month of receiving your application. Your licence will not expire unless it is cancelled or revoked.

As part of your application, you must declare any unspent convictions for a relevant offence or foreign offence as set out in Licensing Act 2003.

If you apply with a current conviction, we must notify the police of your application. The police can submit their objection on crime and prevention grounds. If this happens, the licensing panel will hold a hearing to decide if we grant the licence.

If you're charged with a relevant offence after receiving your licence, you must:

• notify a court that you're a personal licence holder during your first appearance
• let us know by contacting the licensing team

Failure to do either of these is an offence subject to a level 2 penalty of £500.

Applicants and other parties may appeal a decision of the licensing committee.

Appeals must be lodged within 21 days of the date the applicant was informed of the committee’s decision at the local Magistrates Court.

If you need help making your application, contact the alcohol and entertainment licensing team.