Wording for these advertisements and notices are similar , and examples can be found in the Public Notices section of your local paper . The “ guidance notes ” in your licence application pack will also detail their contents . Some key points to remember are :
➢ the licence will last indefinitely ( provided you pay the annual renewal fee , and do not lose the licence by abusing it !), so don ’ t be more specific than you have to be ; don ’ t tie yourself ( and a future owner ) down to specific times for ever . Better to apply for long hours ( or 24 hours ) and state that “ normally ” you anticipate stopping to serve alcohol by midnight , for instance .
➢ Think about the future – including the possibility of your selling the premises – and apply for things you or a future owner MIGHT want to do , even if you have no current plans for them . For example , dancing , showing films or “ indoor sporting activities ” ( which could include billiards , darts or skittles , for instance ).
➢ Don ’ t provoke questions or objections unnecessarily – for example , a copy of your application goes to child protection officers ; make sure you specify that alcohol will not be served to children , that BBFC guidelines will be observed in the showing of films , etc . If you leave out such details ( even if they may seem “ obvious ”), your application may be delayed by a question coming back on these points .
➢ On premises plans , mark the whole extent of your useable property for licensable activities – again , this keeps your options open . For instance , don ’ t only specify your currently-planned “ bar ” area for the site of licensable activities . Include all areas or rooms which may conceivably be used in future – you or the next owner might want to use a current private sitting room as a dining room or function room , for instance , and if you do not include such a room now , you or your successor would have to submit a special “ licence variation ” application .
I personally found that our licensing authority ( West Dorset District Council ) were very helpful . I went to see the licensing officer in Dorchester , who helped with our premises application . I would recommend that if you can , you arrange to see your licensing officer before you submit your application , to discuss it .
Costs of licensing : Typically , these will break down as follows :
Personal licence application fee : £ 37 Premises licence application fee : £ 100 ( one off ) Premises licence grant fee ( annual ): £ 70 ** Personal Licensee ’ s Course fee : say £ 170 ( one off ) “ Public Notice ” ad in local paper – typically 10cm x 1 column at say £ 115 ( one off ) Passport photos : £ 4 Photocopying : 150 pages or so at say 8p per page : £ 12 Envelopes , postage , etc : say £ 5
Total : £ 513
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