Licensing Act 2003
On 24 November 2005 the Licensing Act 2003 introduced
significant changes to Licensing Laws in England and Wales. Whilst
there has been much media focus upon specific parts of the
legislation, this document has been designed to provide clarity as
regards the main licensing aspects. New additions to these pages
include the new Mandatory Licensing Conditions and Minor
Variaitons.
The new law completely changed the way licensing is dealt with.
Licensing for the sale of alcohol was dealt with by the local
Magistrates' Court, now the Act is in force the following
are licensed by local authorities:
- Alcohol
- Public Entertainment
- Theatre
- Cinema
- Late Night Refreshment
- Night Cafes
- Registered Club Licence
License types
In addition the types of licences have also changed, therefore
if you are involved in carrying out any of the above you may need
to be licensed.
The old licence types have been replaced with a new single
integrated scheme for licensing premises carried out by local
authorities in the form of:
On the 24 November 2005 (the "Second Appointed Day") the old
licensing regimes came to an end and the new premises licences,
personal licences and club premises certificates came in to
force
Key measures
The key measures contained in the act are:
- Flexible opening hours, with the potential for up to 24 hour
opening, seven days a week, subject to consideration to the impact
on the local residents. This, it is hoped, will help to minimise
public disorder resulting from fixed closing times.
- Premises Licence a single scheme for licensing premises which
sell alcohol, provide public entertainment or provide refreshment
late at night.
- Personal Licences a new system of personal licences which allow
holders to sell or serve alcohol for consumption on or off any
premises possessing a premise licence.
- Designated Premises Supervisor a personal licence holder
immediately identifiable as being in day to day charge of licensed
premises.
- Magistrates Court to deal with appeals against the local
authority.
- Further infomation is available in our Statement
of Licensing Policy.
In offering this advice we wish to make it clear that:
- Legislation may change over time and the advice given is based
on the information available at the time the guidance was produced.
It is not necessarily comprehensive and is subject to revision in
the light of further information.
- Only the courts can interpret statutory legislation with any
authority.
- This advice is not intended to be a definitive guide to, or a
substitute for, the relevant law. Independent legal advice should
be sought where appropriate.
For further information and guidance please Services A-Z Plugin
(Link to Licensing - alcohol and entertainment, Link Text is
contact our licensing team)
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