Alcohol and entertainment licences - Print version

You need a premises licence from the Council if you are planning to sell or supply:

• late-night refreshments (selling hot food or hot drink between 11pm and 5am)
• regulated entertainment
• alcohol

You can find out more about how to apply for a premises licence [http://www.gov.uk/apply-for-a-licence/premises-licence/coventry/apply-1].

Pre-Application Licensing Solutions [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/licensing-regulation/licensing-team/2]

We now offer assistance, guidance and support with your licensing applications. Our new pre-application advice and assistance service gives you the best of local licensing knowledge at an affordable rate.

Applications are dealt with safely, securely, saving you time and money, and giving you peace of mind that your application is fit for purpose and ready to be processed without delay. Prices start from £36.00.

Download and print the Pre Application service leaflet. [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/file/39295/pre-application-service]

The Council is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers and will use the information you have provided on this form for the prevention and deduction of fraud. It will also share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing, administering public funds and will use it for comparison across the Council and with external organisations for the prevention and the detection of fraud. For further information, see data matching and the national fraud initiative [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/11/strategies_plans_and_policies/473/data_matching_and_the_national_fraud_initiative].

Current Licence Application Public Notice [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/7779/current-licence-application-public-notices]

Eligibility criteria

The application can be made by an individual, several individuals, a company or organisation or other prescribed persons, such as individuals acting as representatives for a company or individual.

Application process

Application forms must be made using GOV.UK. Once an application has been served on the Licensing Team, we will then forward it on to all of the responsible authorities on your behalf. A 28 day consultation period then commences, during which representations from can be made. Applicants must display a notice on their premises detailing the application (hours applied for, what licensable activity they are applying for, etc), a copy of which must also be advertised in a local newspaper on at least one occasion within 10 working days from the date of submission.

If your application does not receive objections then it is deemed granted on the 29th day after submission. If there are representations made against your application we will arrange a hearing at which your application will be determined by a panel of Councillors from the Licensing and Regulatory Sub Committee.

Does tacit consent apply?

This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the Council by the end of the target period.

Please note Tacit Consent will only apply once a full application has been submitted and you have received an acknowledgement.

How do I apply?

New premises licence application:

Apply for a new premises licence [http://www.gov.uk/apply-for-a-licence/premises-licence/coventry/apply-1].

For further information on how to apply for a new premises licence, you can take a look at the advice sheet [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/file/18089/new_premises_licence_advice_sheet] that gives more information on the application process. It is recommended that you confirm that the application you are applying for is within Coventry's jurisdiction, you can use the postcode checker [http://local.direct.gov.uk/LDGRedirect/Start.do?mode=1] to do this.

Below are a list of other licensing application forms that you may find useful. You can also view a range of Licensing Advice sheets [/downloads/download/3812/licensing_advice_sheets], which you may find helpful when making your application.

Variation licence application:

• Apply to vary your premises licence [http://www.gov.uk/apply-for-a-licence/premises-licence/coventry/change-1]

Minor variation:

• Apply for a minor variation application [http://www.gov.uk/apply-for-a-licence/club-licensing/coventry/change-3]

Transfer a premises licence:

• Apply to transfer a premises licence [http://www.gov.uk/apply-for-a-licence/premises-licence/coventry/change-3]
• Consent to transfer the premises licence [http://www.gov.uk/apply-for-a-licence/premises-licence/coventry/change-6]

Vary the designated premises supervisor

• Vary the designated premises supervisor [http://www.gov.uk/apply-for-a-licence/premises-licence/coventry/change-2]
• Consent to be designated can be made online [http://www.gov.uk/apply-for-a-licence/premises-licence/coventry/change-7]
• Request to be removed as designated premises supervisor [http://www.gov.uk/apply-for-a-licence/premises-licence/coventry/change-10]

Notification of interest:

• Make a notification of an interest in premises [http://www.gov.uk/apply-for-a-licence/premises-licence/coventry/change-4]

Provisional statement:

• Make an application for a provisional statement [http://www.gov.uk/apply-for-a-licence/premises-licence/coventry/apply-2]

Interim authority notice:

• Make an application for an interim authority notice online [http://www.gov.uk/apply-for-a-licence/premises-licence/coventry/apply-2]

How to object (make a representation)

If you live near a licensed premise that has made a new application or seeks to vary (i.e. extend the hours) an existing premises licence, and this causes you concern, you may want to make a representation/objection to the application.

Responsible Authorities and other persons can lodge representations/objections with the Licensing Authority during the 28 day consultation period.

Objections must be based around one (or more) of the licensing objectives and must be made in writing, and sent to the Licensing Authority within the 28 day consultation period.

The four licensing objectives are:

1. The prevention of crime and disorder
2. The protection of children from harm
3. The prevention of public nuisance
4. The promotion of public safety

For further information and complete guidance on how to object (make a representation) to an application please download our advice sheet [/downloads/download/1132/how_to_object_make_a_representation].

Charges

Fees for premises licences depend on the Non Domestic Rateable Value of the premises. You can work out your Non Domestic Rateable Value by visiting https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/business-rates-find/search [https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/business-rates-find/search].

Supplementary information

All premises licence applications require a plan of the premises. These will need to clearly show the fire exits and where the alcohol will be stored. You can read our Premises Licence Guidance note to find more information about how your plan should look.

In all cases you will have to provide information within the application about how you are going to run the business in a safe responsible manner to uphold and promote the licensing objectives. This is called your operating schedule and forms part of the premises licence application which can be found using GOV.UK [http://www.gov.uk/apply-for-a-licence/premises-licence/coventry/apply-1].

Right of appeal

If feel your application was determined unfairly by a sub committee you can appeal their decision, within 21 days to the Magistrates. Another hearing may then be held to consider the facts of the sub committee's decision.

Change of circumstances

You can notify the Council of a change of name or address online [https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-a-licence/premises-licence/coventry/change-9] using the GOV.UK website. 

Vary a premises licence

• Make an application to vary a premises licence online [https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-a-licence/premises-licence/coventry/change-8] using the GOV.UK website.
• Make an application for a minor variation to a premises or club licence online [https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-a-licence/premises-licence/coventry/change-8] using the GOV.UK website.

Length of licence

Premises licences, once granted, last for the life of the business or until they are surrendered or, in certain circumstances revoked.

Further information

Any queries can be directed to the Licensing Team where a Licensing Officer will aim to answer your enquiry as quickly as possible.

Please note - Our preferred method of contact is via email. E-mail: licensing@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:licensing@coventry.gov.uk]

If you wish to subscribe to the licensing newsletter, please tick the licensing option [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/emailalerts].

Public registers

The public registers of all applications made to the council under the Licensing Act 2003 are available to view through our online licensing register [http://licensing.coventry.gov.uk/MVM/Online/EGov/License_Registers/Registers_Criteria.aspx].