Club premises certificate
Last Updated: 3 April 2024
Club premises certificate authorises a members' club to carry out licensable activities such as the supply of alcohol and the provision of regulated entertainment. There is no requirement for a qualifying club to have a designated premises supervisor (DPS) or personal licence holder. A club premises certificate has effect until it is revoked, suspended or surrendered. This is not time limited, unless it's requested by the applicant.
The following criteria must be met to be considered a qualifying club:
- that under the rules of the club, persons may not be admitted to membership, or be admitted as candidates for membership, to any of the privileges of membership without an interval of at least two days between their nomination for membership and their admission
- that the club is established and conducted in good faith as a club
- that the club has at least 25 members
- that alcohol is not supplied to members on the premises otherwise than by or on behalf of the club
To qualify as a club authorised to supply alcohol to its members and guests, the additional conditions must be met:
- the purchase and supply of alcohol by and for the club is managed by a committee made up of elected members of the club all aged over 18 years
- no arrangements may be made for any person to receive any commission, percentage or similar payment at the expense of the club with reference to purchases of alcohol by the club
- no arrangements may be made for any person to derive directly or indirectly any monetary benefit from the supply of alcohol to members or guests apart from to benefit the club as a whole or any indirect benefit a person derives by reason of the supply contributing to a general gain for the clubs as a whole
If a club intends to provide licensable activities to the general public they will need to apply for a premises licence. Subject to some restrictions, they would need to submit a temporary event notice.
Applying for a club premises certificate
Club premises certificate application form (DOC 181KB / 21 pages)
If you would like to vary your club premises certificate or transfer the certificate you will need to complete premises license application form.
You will need to show how you will be operating the premises and what you will do to promote the four licensing objectives. You will also need to send a copy of the club rules.
A scaled plan of your premises should be submitted along with your application. To help you complete this, you can view our guidance and advice on the submission of plans.
A fee should be sent with your application, the government sets these fees based on the non domestic rateable value of your premises. You can find this out by looking at your annual bill or by contacting Business Rates.
Your application, fee and any other relevant documents should be returned to the licensing group.
You may want to refer to the home office guidance (PDF 47KB / 8 pages).
When making an application for grant/variation, you should send a copy to the responsible authorities. This now includes sending a copy of the application form to the Home Office (Immigration Enforcement) Alcohol Licensing Team, Lunar House, 40 Wellesley Road, Croydon, CR9 2BY or alternatively email: Alcohol@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk.
Notice of an application
If you are applying for a straight conversion, you do not need to advertise.
If you are applying for a variation, you must display a notice of the application on your premises for a period of 28 consecutive days. You may want to refer to our guidance on arrangements for advertising notices of application.
Here are the notices for you to choose the correct one and fill in and print on blue paper:
This notice must be printed on white paper:
You are also required to put a notice in the local newspaper, the above notices can be used as the newspaper template for the relevant application.
Additional information and guidance notes
A premises licence is not time limited.
These guidance notes will provide you with more information:
- guidance in respect of licensing fees
- sample conditions for premises and club premises certificates (PDF 285KB / 30 pages)
- guidance on regulated entertainment and exemptions
Representations
Interested parties (eg local residents, residents' associations and parish/town councils) can make representations on applications.
They must be made within 28 days of the date the notice of application is displayed.
In order to be relevant, the representation must relate to one or more of the four licensing objectives listed below:
- the prevention of crime and disorder
- public safety
- the prevention of public nuisance
- the protection of children from harm
Guidance document for interested parties regarding relevant representations (DOC 91KB / 2 pages)
Where an application is made for grant or variation of a club premises certificate a summary can be found on the public register of Licensing Act applications.
How to apply for full variation to a club premises certificate
To make significant changes to your club premises certificate you will need to apply for a full variation club premises certificate.
If you would like to apply for a full variation fill in the club premises certificate full variation application form (DOC 109KB / 18 pages).
Changes could include:
- varying the hours that licensable activity takes place
- adding licensable activities
- amending, adding or removing conditions within a licence
- altering any aspect of the layout of the premises which is shown on the plan
Depending on the changes, it may be possible for you to submit a minor variation application.
How to apply for a minor variation to a club premises certificate
A minor variation is a simplified process for:
- small changes to premises layouts or structures
- small changes to licensing hours
- the addition of authorisation for late night refreshment or regulated entertainment
- removal of out of date, irrelevant or unenforceable conditions
- If you would like to apply for a minor variation fill in the club premises certificate minor variation application form (DOC 75KB / 10 pages).