Information
We hope the information contained within these web pages is useful. However, please note, it is not legal advice.
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.
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 licensed
by local authorities.
In addition, the types of licences changed, therefore
if you are involved in carrying out any of the following you may
need to be licensed:
- Alcohol
- Public Entertainment
- Theatre
- Cinema
- Late Night Refreshment
- Night Cafes
- Registered Club Licence
The above 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
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.
The Peterborough City Council Statement
of Licensing Policy is available on this website.
In offering this advice Peterborough City Council wishes 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.