Introduction to the Licensing Act 2003

The Licensing Act 2003 is a fundamental change to the existing Licensing Laws and will affect:

• Pubs and nightclubs
• Off Licenses
• Hotels, guest houses and other places that sell alcohol
  those offering regulated entertainment
• Private member's clubs and Social clubs
• Cinemas
• Restaurants that sell alcohol
• Theatres and amateur dramatic groups
• Businesses offering late night refreshment
• Organisers of temporary events*

Types of licence

Under the new system the above facilities will need a licence of the following nature:

• A Premises Licence / Club Premises Certificate will be required where any of the above activities take place. (* in certain circumstances only)
• A Personal Licence will be needed by anyone who wants to sell alcohol.
• A Temporary Events Notice will be required where premises will be used for these activities during a period not exceeding 96 hours.

Council issuing

The Council, not the Magistrates Court, will issue licenses.

The Act states that all those involved in licensing, Council, Licensees and Statutory Agencies must work together to achieve the Licensing objectives, which are:

• Prevention of crime and disorder
• Prevention of public nuisance
• Public safety
• Prevention of harm to children.

The Act specified a process that has led to the full implementation of the Act.