Premises selling alcohol require two licences - one for the premises and one for the person or persons responsible for the sale of alcohol. Persons must satisfy the following criteria before the council can issue a personal licence:
- Age 18 years or over
- Possess a relevant licensing qualification
- Have not forfeited a personal licence within the last 5 years
- The police have not raised any objections to the granting of a personal licence
- If the police have raised objections to the granting of a licence, the council has decided not to act on the objection being made
- The appropriate fee has been made
Licence validity
Personal licences are valid for a period of 10 years unless they are surrendered, suspended or declared forfeit by the courts. The grant of the licence is a one-off process and renewal on an annual basis is not required.
Once a licence is granted the licensee can use it anywhere in either England or Wales and does not have to apply for a new licence when a change of work location occurs.
The licence holder though is required to notify the issuing council of any changes of names or address.