Clubs defined in the Licensing Act of 2003 as 'qualifying clubs' require a club premises certificate. A qualifying club must satisfy the following conditions: - There must be a 48-hour period between application and acceptance of membership of a club by individuals
- Persons who have not been nominated for membership of a club are required to wait a further 48 hours before they can enjoy the privileges of the club
- The club has been established and is conducted in good faith as a club as defined within section 63 of the Licensing Act of 2003
- The club must have at least 25 members
- Alcohol is not supplied or intended to be supplied, to members on the premises otherwise than by or on behalf of the club
The Licensing Act of 2003 preserves the special status of current 'registered clubs'. These clubs are organisations where members have joined together for particular social, sporting or political purposes and then combined to buy alcohol in bulk, as members, for distribution between themselves. There are therefore technically no retail sales of alcohol by the club, except to guests.
The existing arrangements for allowing members to be accompanied by guests will continue, along with reciprocal arrangements between clubs (associate members and guests).
An application for a club premises certificate will need to include an operating schedule as for premises licences, but a designated premises supervisor is not required to be nominated for this type of licence. The licence once granted continues in existence until it is cancelled, but will require to be renewed annually.