How pub licence laws might affect your business

In order for a pub to be able to sell alcohol it must have a pub licence. Laws state that both the premises from which the alcohol is sold and the person in charge of selling the alcohol must have applied for and have been granted a pub licence. Laws on the issue of licensing are dominated by the Licensing Act 2003 which gives the local licensing authority the power to grant the pub licence.

Laws on the issue of pub licensing focus on a number of objectives; these are objectives are to prevent crime and disorder, to enhance public safety, to prevent public nuisance and to protect children from harm. Pub licence laws are complex and involve a range of different licences from licences for music, licences for alcohol, late-night licences and 24-hour licences.

The personal licence for selling alcohol can be applied for by anyone and if you are running a pub, licence laws require that at least one person working at the premises has a personal licence. In reality you would be well advised that more than one person has a personal licence, to cover for holidays, sickness and other periods of absence. A personal-licence holder must be aged eighteen or over, possess a relevant licensing qualification accredited by the Secretary of State, must not have forfeited a personal licence within five years of the application and the police must not have objected to the application for the licence.

If you would like to obtain legal advice on pub licence laws, Contact Law can put you in touch with a local specialist pub licensing solicitor free of charge. So, if you have any questions or would like our help in finding pub licensing solicitors please call us on 0800 1777 162 or complete the web-form above.