Premises Licences (Licensing Act 2003)
You need a licence if you wish to sell alcohol, provide late night refreshment (hot food and/or drink at any time between 11pm and 5am) or provide certain types of entertainment, such as music, dancing, film exhibitions, plays, and spectator sports.
Exempt Entertainment
Some types of entertainment have now been de-regulated where specific criteria are met and where the entertainment takes place between the hours of 8am and 11pm. For more information please see the Exempt Entertainment details below or contact the licensing team for further advice if you are unsure whether you need a licence for entertainment.
For advice on busking please see the Council's Guide to Busking in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea:
Pre-Application Advice Service
We offer a pre-application advice service to support your licensing application made under the Licensing Act 2003. The aim is to help you to mitigate any problems which may arise during the application process. However, our advice cannot prejudge the outcome of the licensing application, especially if representations are received and a hearing takes place before the Licensing Sub-Committee. Find out more about pre-application advice and download the request form.
We have also produced a pool of conditions which applicants may wish to refer to when completing their operating schedule.
Marriage/Civil Partnership venues
If you intend to hold civil marriages or civil partnerships in your premises, the trustee or proprietor must apply separately for an Approved Premises licence from the Kensington and Chelsea Register Office. For guidance on this process, and to access the application form, please e-mail [email protected]. Find out more about marriage/civil partnership venues at GOV.UK.
Who can apply
Any of the following may apply for a premises licence:
- anyone who carries on a business in the premises to which the application relates
- a recognised club
- a charity
- the proprietor of an educational establishment
- a health service body
- a person who is registered under Part 2 of the Care Standards Act 2000 in respect of an independent hospital in Wales
- a person who is registered under Chapter 2 of Part 1 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 in respect of the carrying on of a regulated activity (within the meaning of that Part) in an independent hospital in England
- a chief Police officer of a force in England and Wales
- anyone discharging a statutory function under Her Majesty's prerogative
- any other permitted person
Individual applicants must be aged 18 years or over and must have a right to work in the UK.
How to apply
Select the type of application you wish to make from the list below and read the accompanying guidance notes for further information on the application process.
You are advised to save a copy of your original application in case there are any amendments that need to be made on the form and it needs to be resubmitted.
- Apply for a Premises Licence Grant
- Apply for a Provisional Statement
- Apply to vary the designated premises supervisor
- Apply for a full variation of a Premises Licence
- Apply for a minor variation of a Premises Licence or Club Premises Certificate
- Apply to transfer a Premises Licence
- Apply for an Interim Authority Notice
- Application for Community Premises for the mandatory alcohol condition to be disapplied
- Notification of an interest in premises under section 178
- Notification of a change of name or address of a premises licence holder, registered club or a change of club rules
If you are making your application online you do not need to send a copy of your application to any responsible authorities. The licensing authority will notify the relevant authorities of your application. If applying by post you must send a copy of your application to the relevant responsible authorities. Please see the list of responsible authorities for details of which authorities must be sent a copy of your application.
Will Tacit Consent Apply
Yes – If the application is made online and is unopposed at the end of the consultation period*. This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the local authority by the end of the target completion period.
The Council's target completion periods for Licensing Act 2003 premises licence applications are listed below:
- new, provisional and full variation applications - 40 days
- all other application types* - 30 days
* Minor variation applications cannot be given tacit authorisation as by law they are automatically refused if the authority has not determined the application after 15 working days from receipt.
Other forms and guidance
Guidance Notes, Notices and Fees
- Guidance for Applicants - Plans Submission [PDF] (file size 77Kb)
- View our Licensing Act Fees web page for cost information.
Appeals and complaints
Applicants
If your application is refused or if you are unhappy with conditions which have been attached to the licence you can appeal to Westminster Magistrates' Court, 181 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5BR within 21 days of notice of the decision.
Other parties
Other parties who submitted representations within the statutory consultation period can also appeal against the granting of a licence. Westminster Magistrates' Court, 181 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5BR within 21 days of notice of the decision. Appeals must be made within 21 days of receiving the decision notice to
A responsible authority or any other person who is affected by the premises may apply to the Licensing Authority to review a premises licence. Following receipt of a review application a hearing will be held by the Licensing Authority. See reviewing a premises licence/club premises certificate for further details.
The council operates a complaints procedure. To view the complaints procedure or to make a complaint relating to the service you have received please see comments, complaints and feedback.