The Licensing Act 2003 modernises the licensing laws regarding the sale and supply of alcohol, the provision of late night refreshment and various regulated entertainments. Application forms, guidance and information on the Act can be found here.
The Act sets out four key licensing objectives:
- The prevention of crime and disorder
- The prevention of public nuisance
- Public safety
- The protection of children from harm
These objectives underpin the way in which the Council in its role as the licensing authority deals with licence applications and regulates licensed premises.
The licensing authority must produce a written statement detailing how it proposes to deal with licensing matters within its borough. A copy of the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council statement of licensing policy can be found by clicking on the link on the left.
Any person wishing to use a premises for licensable activities must be in possession of a licence issued under the Act by the local authority.
Premises Licences
You will need a Premises Licence if you provide any of the following activities at a premises:
A 'premises' means any place and includes vehicles, vessels and moveable structures.
A Premises Licence must include a person named as the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS). This will normally be the person sho is in day to day charge of the premises. He/she must hold a Personal Licence. A Premises Licence cannot be granted without a DPS being in place.
Club Premises Certificates
Any members club that wishes to provide licensable activities must be in posession of a Club Premises Certificate issued by the local authority. Only clubs acting as a bone fide club, acting in good faith and in accordance with club rules can be granted a Club Premises Certificate. The application process is very similar to that of a premises licence and information can be found in the guidance notes below. A club does not require to nominate a designated premises supervisor on the certificate
Application forms for new personal licences, premises licences and and club premises certificates can be downloaded by clicking on the relevant section on the menu to the left of this screen. Completed forms should be submitted to:
The Licensing Team
Civic Offices, London Road, Basingstoke, RG21 4AH
The Licensing Team can be contacted by email at licensing@basingstoke.gov.uk, by telephone on 01256 844844,
Before making an application, please read the relevant notes which can be dowloaded below. If you would like assistance in completing the forms the licensing team are happy to help. Please contact us in advance to make an apppointment so as to allow sufficient time. It is recommended that you allow at least one hour. If you come in without an appointment we cannot guarantee that you can be assisted immediately.
More information on the Licensing Act 2003 can be found on the DCMS website.
Click here to view The Licensing Act 2003
Variation to a licence or club premises certificate.
There are procedures that need to be followed if you wish to make structural or layout changes to your licensed premises or club or to the hours and types of licensable activities that are provided. These changes must be applied for by making an applicationto vary your licence or club premises certificate. A variation that is likley to impact on the promotion of the four Licensing Objectives detailed above will require a standard variation application to be made under section 34 of the Act for premises and section 71 of the Act for clubs. The forms and notes are attached below.
A new procedure has been implemented under section 41(a) for premises and section 86(a) for clubs to allow for the application of minor variations. Thesse will include such small chnages that will not impact on the promotion of the Licensing Objectives. This requires a fee of £89 and completion of a minor variations application form. You will have to display a white poster at the premises for 10 days and the Licensing Authority may decide which responsible authorities they wish to consult with. The minor variations application form with guidance notes is attached below.
Licence fees
The fees for applications made under the Licensing Act 2003 are set by central government and are therefore outside the control of the Council.
The current fees for 2009/10 are as follows:
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Licensing Act 2003 Fees |
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Premises and Clubs new and variation applications |
Band A £100 |
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Band B £190 |
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Band C £315 |
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Band D £450 |
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Band E £635
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Additional fees for premise licence authorising entry for over 5000 people. |
Contact the Licensing Team for advice before applying.
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Annual Fee. Premises and clubs
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Band A £70 |
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Band B £180 |
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Band C £295 |
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Band D £320 |
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Band E £350
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Additional fees for premise authorising entry for over 5000 people.
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Contact the Licensing Team for advice. |
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Premise licence transfer fee
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£23 |
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Notification of Interest in a premise |
£21 |
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Application for copy of Licence on theft, loss etc |
£10.50 |
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Notification of change of name or address of licence holder |
£10.50 |
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Application to vary to specify new DPS |
£23 |
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Application for interim authority following death of license holder |
£23 |
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Notification of change of club rules or club name |
£10.50 |
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Change of relevant registered address of club |
£10.50 |
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Temporary Event Notice |
£21 |
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Application for copy of Temporary Event Notice |
£10.50 |
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Application for provisional statement for premise being built |
£315 |
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Personal Licence |
£37 |
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Application for copy of personal licence |
£10.50 |
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Notification of change of name or address personal licence holder |
£10.50 |
Information and guidance on making applications can be downloaded below. The process is quite complex and requires applicants to send copies of the entire application to various external bodies. They are also required to display a blue poster prominently at the premises detailing the application. There is also a requirement to advertise the application in a local newspaper or other periodical that circulates in the vicinity of the premises. This could be a parish newsletter or village newsletter but it must appear within 10 days of the application being made to the Licensing Authority. Applications will be rejected as invalid if they have not been advertised correctly. Further advice can be obtained from the Licensing Team.