From 24 November 2005, the Licensing Act 2003 changed the law governing the types of licences held throughout England and Wales.
There is now a Premises Licence, a single scheme for what is known as "licensable activities", which includes the sale or supply of alcohol, the sale of hot drinks and/or food between 11pm and 5am (eat in or takeaway) and/or provision of regulated entertainment such as cinema, theatre, dancing and music.
Premises and Club Licences
If you are a business selling alcohol or providing entertainment, you must obtain a Premises Licence from the Local Authority. Qualifying clubs are required to obtain a Club Premises Certificate which authorises the supply of alcohol to club members.
Link to further information in Premises Licences, and to apply online
Link for further information on Club Premises Licences, and to apply online
Personal Licence
If you wish to sell or authorise the sale of alcohol, you will be required to obtain a Personal Licence. Personal Licences will be granted for 10 years to persons over 18 years of age who have the relevant licensing qualification and are without a relevant criminal record.
Occasional and Temporary Events
If you wish to hold a one-off small event for less than 500 people, for example a School Fair or Charity Event, you must apply for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN). If you already hold a Personal Licence, you may apply for up to 50 TENs a year. If you do not hold a Personal Licence, you may apply for up to five TENs a year. The Event can last for up to 96 hours.
Link for further information on Temporary Event Notices, and to apply online
Statement of Licensing Policy and Policy Review consultation
Under the Licensing Act 2003, the Local Authority is required to publish a Statement of Licensing Policy with regards to the undertaking of its licensing functions. The Council is required to consult with various bodies on the Policy, such as the Police, Fire Service and bodies representing residents and the trade. The Council first published its Policy in January 2005, which was reviewed tri-annually, with the current Policy taking effect in January 2011.
A copy of the existing Policy can be viewed and downloaded by clicking the link below:
Link to Statement of Licensing Policy (pdf 117kb)
Consultation on Proposed Cumulative Impact Policy – Epsom Town Centre
On 7 February 2011, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council’s Licensing Committee received a report which requested that Members consider if a Cumulative Impact Policy should be produced for Epsom Town Centre. This followed a request from Surrey Police to give consideration to such.
A Licensing Authority is entitled to consider the cumulative impact of licensed premises on the promotion of the licensing objectives (ie, whether there is good evidence that crime and disorder or nuisance are happening and are caused by the customers of licensed premises, or that the risk of cumulative impact is imminent).
Following discussions, the Committee agreed that the Town Centre was already saturated with licensed premises and that this concentration impacted on the area, creating public nuisance, crime and disorder and that a Cumulative Impact Policy was required.
The Committee agreed that the area to be covered by the Cumulative Impact Policy was Epsom High Street, including Derby Square and Waterloo Road to the junction with Station Approach.
Implementation of such a Policy is subject to consultation with the following persons:
• The chief officer of police for the area
• The fire and rescue authority for the area
• Persons/bodies representative of local holders of premises licences
• Persons/bodies representative of local holders of club premises certificates
• Persons/bodies representative of local holders of personal licences and
• Persons/bodies representative of businesses in its area.
Comments on these proposals were sought between 8 March and 4 May 2011. A report will be taken to the Licensing Committee in October 2011 to determine if such a policy should be adopted.
Further Information
Telephone: 01372 732000
email: contactus@epsom-ewell.gov.uk