Licensing Act 2003

The Licensing Act 2003 (the Act) introduced a single licence scheme for licensing premises which:

• Supply alcohol
• Provide regulated entertainment
• Provide late night refreshment

You can find information on the different types of Licences Tameside Council issue in relation to the Licensing Act 2003. You can also download the forms and guidance to enable you to apply for a Licence.
 

 

Your Questions Answered

 What is the Licensing Act 2003?

The Act was brought in to consolidate all other previous licensing regimes such as public entertainment licences, late night refreshment and Justices' alcohol licences and Private Members Clubs and has now superseded the legislation governing them. Under the Act, Licensing Authorities, of which Tameside is one, must carry out their functions with a view to promoting the four licensing objectives, along with our licensing policy.The four licensing objectives are:

• The prevention of crime and disorder
• Public safety
• The prevention of public nuisance
• The protection of children from harm

Why do I Need a Licence? 

Since the introduction of the Licensing Act in November 2005, anyone who wants to carry out a licensable activity needs a licence to do so. Licensable activities are defined as:

• The sale by retail of alcohol
• The supply of alcohol by or on behalf of a club or to the order of a member of the club
• The provision of regulated entertainment
  • Plays
  • Films
  • Indoor Sporting events
  • Boxing or wrestling entertainment
  • Live Music
  • Recorded music
  • Performances of dance
  • Entertainment of a similar description to Live Music, recorded music and performances of dance
  • Provision of facilities for Making music
  • Provision of facilities for DancingEntertainment of a similar description to making music and dancing
• The provision of late night refreshment
• This is the supply of hot food or drink to members of the public, on or from the premises, whether for consumption on or off the premises, between the hours of 11.00pm and 5.00am.

Most pubs, clubs, restaurants, bars, hotels, cinemas, theatres and private members clubs will need a licence.

How do I Apply? 

Please click on each link below for full details of each application process

 

 

What if I Already Hold a Licence and Want to Change my Licensed Hours? 

If you have a premises licence, you can, at any time, apply to change any aspect of the licence i.e. you may wish to extend or decrease the hours you are currently licensed for or you may wish to add on extra licensable activities you were not previously licensed for. In this case, you need to apply for a variation. The same applies if you make significant structural alterations or alter the layout of the premises significantly
 

 

What if I Haven’t got a Premises Licence Because I Don’t Normally Undertake Any Licensable Activities, but I Don’t Want to Sell Alcohol and/or Play Live Music on a Few Different Occasions Throughout the Year?

You will need what is called a Temporary Event Notice (TEN), click on the below link for more information on what a TEN is, and how to apply.

 

What if I Want to Change my Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS)?

The Licence Holder is required to submit a Change of DPS application to the Licensing Department.

 

What if I Live Near to a Pub and am Not Happy With the Way the Place is Being Run?

As a licensing authority, we can at any time, review a premises licence. In order to do this, we must receive an application from an interested party i.e. a member of the public or a responsible authority.

 

I Have a Personal Licence and Have Changed My Address

You need to write to the Licensing Office giving details of your new address and enclosing your current licence (both paper copy and photo card) and pay the fee of £10.50.

Contact the Licensing Office on 0161 342 4262.
 

Who Sets the Fees for the Licences? 

All of the fees under the Licensing Act are statutory and are set by the Government. As a licensing authority we are bound to charge the set fees.
 

I am the Designated Premises Supervisor of a Premises and am Going Away on Holiday for Two Weeks. Do I Need to Let the Licensing Authority Know?

As the designated premises supervisor, you are responsible for the premises, in particular, the sale of alcohol within it, whether you are on site or not. It is good practice, if you are not on site, to have another personal licence holder who is on site to authorise the sale of alcohol.
 

Where Can I View the Licensing Act 2003?