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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