Licensing

We offer a licensing service that deals with all types of licensing applications, including alcohol and gambling. It couldn’t be simpler.

If you require a new premises license to authorise the sale of alcohol or other regulated activities, are seeking to vary an existing license, or if you are organising an event or taking ownership of something that requires a permit, licensing means the difference between following legal requirements and violating them. The latter can result in anything from banning and blacklisting to fines and imprisonment, so ensuring that you have the necessary license for your property and activity is essential.

Our specialists can help with all licensing matters by explaining requirements, guiding applications, advising on projects, and making sure that the law is followed to the letter throughout. This in turn ensures that the license protection covers you, employees, visitors and the public where applicable. We make sure that you’re covered for every eventuality.

Senior Solicitor, Jonathan Hyldon can apply for licenses on your behalf, plus update your existing license to cover different activities.

When it comes to licensing, we strongly recommend that you obtain everything required by law for your particular situation, and our licensing solicitors are here to help you from start to finish.

Licensing

Thank you for considering Wilkin Chapman for licensing advice. We have set out below a guide as to how much our specialist service is likely to cost you when making an application for a premises licence under either Section 17 or Section 34 of the Licensing Act 2003.

As every application is different and dependant on individual circumstances we would be happy to discuss your case with you and provide you with a full case specific estimate.

Application for a new premises licence

Applications for a new premises licence are known as a section 17 licence.

Fees

Simple application

Likely to be non-contentious matter, with no objections.

£1,000 ­- £3,000 plus VAT and disbursements (based on 5-­15 hours at an hourly rate of £200).

Medium complexity

Likely to receive objections from local residents with a medium to high risk of it impacting upon the Licensing Objectives, requiring additional pre-consultation with the Responsible/Licensing Authorities.

£3,000 -­ £5,000 plus VAT and disbursements (based on 15­-25 hours at an hourly rate of £200).

High complexity

Premises within an area where there is a Cumulative Impact Policy in place, historical enforcement issues including review/summary review, residential area where there is a strong possibility of public nuisance and/or crime and disorder issues. Size and type of venue i.e. large late night venue. Likely objections from the Responsible Authorities including the Police or Environmental Health Officer. High complexity licences. Applications for large scale public events.

£5,000 -­ £10,000 plus VAT and disbursements (based on 25-50 hours at an hourly rate of £200).

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Disbursements

Disbursements are payable in addition to our fees. These are payment to third parties, such as the application fee which is payable to the licensing authority. We will pay the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

We anticipate that the following payments may need to be made.

Application fee

The application fee is payable to the licensing authority and is calculated in accordance with the rateable value of the premises as shown in the table below.

BandABCDE
Non domestic rateable value None to £4,300 £4,301 to £33,000 £33,001 to £87,000 £87,001 to £125,000 £125,001+
New application fees£100 £190 £315 £450 £635
Multiplier applied to premises used exclusively or primarily for the supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises (Bands D & E only) N/A N/A N/A X2 (£900) X3 (£1,905)
Annual charge£70 £180 £295 £320 £350
Annual charge multiplier applied to premises used exclusively or primarily for the supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises (Bands D&E only) N/A N/A N/A X2 (£640) X3 (£1,050)

Advertising fee

A typical range for an advertising fee is between £200 to £500 + VAT and this will vary depending on the individual premises and where it is located. The fees can on occasion be higher than the ranges given above. We will give you an accurate figure for each item as soon as we are able to do so.

Enquiry agent fees

A typical range for enquiry agent fees to display public notices is between £150 to £250 + VAT. This will vary depending on the individual premises and where it is located. The fees can on occasion be higher than the ranges given above. We will give you an accurate figure for each item as soon as we are able to do so.

Special delivery fee

Special delivery fee to serve the application are estimated at £10 + VAT.

Additional printed copies

Additional printed copies of plans if necessary, at an estimated cost of £10 + VAT.

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FAQs

What work is covered within this estimate?

  • Taking instructions and advising an applicant on how to promote the licensing objectives, namely:
    • The prevention of crime and disorder
    • Public safety
    • The prevention of public nuisance
    • The protection of children from harm within their application within their premises licence application.
  • Advising on the type of plans required to submit with an application.
  • Completing the application form for a new premises licence (including the operating schedule) in accordance with an applicants instructions and submitting this to the local licensing authority alongside suitable plans (an applicant must provide suitable plans).
  • Providing guidance on the fee levels payable to the Licensing Authority.
  • Preparing copies of the premises licence application for disclosure to the Responsible Authorities and serving copies of the application on the responsible authorities.
  • Drafting the notices advertising the premises licence application and submitting the notice to the local newspaper.
  • Arranging with an applicant for the display of the notice(s) advertising the premises licence application and advising as to where and how this should be done by an applicant in order to comply with the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003.
  • Providing a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) consent form for signature by a personal licence holder proposed by an applicant.
  • Checking the licence once granted and correcting any errors with the Licensing Authority.

What work is not covered within this estimate?

  • Obtaining suitable plans.
  • Attending pre-consultation meetings with the Licensing Authority or Responsible Authorities, nor their fee for this meeting.
  • Dealing with or advising you in relation to queries or representations received from either the responsible authorities or other interested parties.
  • Advising on varying the licence.
  • Attendance and representation at a licensing sub-committee hearing. If representations are received and attendance and representation at a licensing sub-committee is required then we will provide a separate fee estimate for this work which will be charged on an hourly rate basis.
  • Any advice in respect of an appeal.

How long does the process take?

Matters usually take 4 to 6 weeks from receipt of full instructions from you. This is on the basis of the application being relatively straightforward and non-contentious and that you are able to provide all the necessary documents promptly.

If a matter is more complex, for example if there is substantial opposition from interested parties, or if the matter goes to a hearing before a Licensing Sub-Committee or there is a delay in receiving the documents, it may take longer. The decision could also be appealed to the local Magistrates' Court by any party which would extend the process significantly.

Application for the variation of a premises licence.

Application for the variation of a premises licence are known as a section 34 licence.

Fees

Simple application

Likely to be non-contentious matter, with no objections.

£1,000 to £3,000 plus VAT and disbursements (based on 5-15 hours at an hourly rate of £200).

Medium complexity

Likely to receive objections from local residents with a medium to high risk of it impacting upon the Licensing Objectives, requiring additional pre-consultation with the Responsible/Licensing Authorities.

£3,000 to £5,000 plus VAT and disbursements (based on 15-­25 hours at an hourly rate of £200).

High complexity

Premises within an area where there is a Cumulative Impact Policy in place, historical enforcement issues including review/summary review, residential area where there is a strong possibility of public nuisance and/or crime and disorder issues. Size and type of venue i.e. large late night venue. Likely objections from Responsible Authorities including the Police or Environmental Health Officer.

£5,000 to £10,000 plus VAT and disbursements (based on 25-50 hours at an hourly rate of £200).

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Disbursements

Disbursements are payable in addition to our fees. These are payment to third parties, such as the application fee which is payable to the licensing authority. We will pay the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

We anticipate that the following payments may need to be made.

Application fee

The application fee is payable to the licensing authority and is calculated in accordance with the rateable value of the premises as shown in the table below.

BandABCDE
Non domestic rateable value None to £4,300 £4,301 to £33,000 £33,001 to £87,000 £87,001 to £125,000 £125,001+
Variation fees£100 £190 £315 £450 £635
Multiplier applied to premises used exclusively or primarily for the supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises (Bands D & E only) N/A N/A N/A X2 (£900) X3 (£1,905)
Annual charge £70 £180 £295 £320 £350
Annual charge multiplier applied to premises used exclusively or primarily for the supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises (Bands D&E only) N/A N/A N/A X2 (£640) X3 (£1,050)

Advertising fee

A typical range for an advertising fee is between £200 to £500 + VAT and this will vary depending on the individual premises and where it is located. The fees can on occasion be higher than the ranges given above. We will give you an accurate figure for each item as soon as we are able to do so.

Enquiry agent fees

A typical range for enquiry agent fees to display public notices is between £150 to £250 + VAT. This will vary depending on the individual premises and where it is located. The fees can on occasion be higher than the ranges given above. We will give you an accurate figure for each item as soon as we are able to do so.

Special delivery fee

Special delivery fee to serve the application are estimated at £10 + VAT.

Additional printed copies

Additional printed copies of plans if necessary ,at an estimated cost of £10 + VAT.

Back to top

FAQs

What work is covered within this estimate?

  • Taking instructions and advising an applicant on how to promote the licensing objectives, namely:
    • The prevention of crime and disorder
    • Public safety
    • The prevention of public nuisance
    • The protection of children from harm within their application within their premises licence application.
  • Advising on the type of plans required to submit with an application.
  • Completing the variation premises licence application form (including the operating schedule) in accordance with an applicants instructions and submitting this to the local licensing authority alongside suitable plans if the variation includes an amendment to layout (an applicant must provide suitable plans).
  • Providing guidance on the fee levels payable to the Licensing Authority.
  • Preparing copies of the variation premises licence application for disclosure to the responsible authorities and serving copies of the application on the responsible authorities.
  • Drafting the notices advertising the variation premises licence application and submitting the notice to the local newspaper.
  • Arranging with an applicant for the display of the notice(s) advertising the variation premises licence application and advising as to where and how this should be done by an applicant in order to comply with the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003.
  • Checking the licence once granted and correcting any errors with the licensing authority.

What work is not covered within this estimate?

  • Obtaining suitable plans, if the variation application includes alterations to the layout.
  • Attending pre-consultation meetings with the Licensing Authority or Responsible Authorities, nor their fee for this meeting.
  • Dealing with or advising you in relation to queries or representations received from either the responsible authorities or other interested parties.
  • Attendance and representation at a licensing sub-committee hearing. If representations are received and attendance and representation at a licensing sub-committee is required then we will provide a separate fee estimate for this work which will be charged on an hourly rate basis.
  • Any advice in respect of an appeal.

How long will it take?

Matters usually take 4 to 6 weeks from receipt of full instructions from you. This is on the basis of the application being relatively straightforward and that you are able to provide all the necessary documents promptly.

If a matter is more complex, for example if there is substantial opposition from interested parties, or if the matter goes to a hearing before a Licensing Sub-Committee or there is a delay in receiving the documents, it may take longer. The decision could also be appealed to the local Magistrates' Court by any party which would extend the process significantly.

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