Personal licence
A personal licence is granted to an individual and authorises that person to supply alcohol from establishments with a premises licence.
An individual may hold only one personal licence at any one time.
All premises carrying out licensable activities must have a premises licence or club premises certificate. If a premises licence authorises the supply of alcohol it is a requirement, unless the premises is a community premises (see separate guidance), that there is a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS). A DPS must be a personal licence holder.
The licensing of individuals separately from the licensing of premises permits the movement of personal licence holders from one premises to another, allowing greater flexibility.
A Personal Licence is not required for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN).
The licence lasts for 10 years and means that if you move house or move jobs you do not have to move your licence to another local authority. However, you do have to notify the local authority which issued your personal picence of any changes to your name or address.
Eligibility criteria
Applicants for personal licences must be over 18 years old and will need to obtain an accredited qualification first or be a 'person of prescribed description'.
The aim of the qualification is to ensure that licence holders are aware of licensing law and the wider social responsibilities attached to the sale of alcohol. Personal licence qualification providers are accredited by the Secretary of State.
You will find help and advice on qualifications in the Personal Licence Guidance (see below).
Persons of prescribed description are currently the Master Vintners, persons licensed by the Board of Green Cloth and persons licensed by the University of Cambridge. If you are a person of a prescribed description, you must include evidence of this with your application.
Regulation summary
The powers to regulate and issue licences is contained in the Licensing Act 2003 (external link to Office of Public Sector Information website).
Application evaluation process
We will grant the licence if:
(a) the applicant is aged 18 or over,
(b) they possess a licensing qualification or are a person of a prescribed description,
(c) no personal licence held by them has been forfeited in the period of five years ending with the day the application was made, and
(d) they have not been convicted of any relevant offence or any foreign offence.
Will tacit consent apply?
No
Application
Requirements for an application are:
- Completed application form
- Declaration of Convictions
- Two photographs which must be
(a) taken against a light background so that the applicant’s features are distinguishable and contrast against the background,
(b) 45 millimetres by 35 millimetres,
(c) full face uncovered and without sunglasses and, unless the applicant wears a head covering due to his religious beliefs, without a head covering,
(d) on photographic paper, and
(e) one endorsed on the back by
(i) the chief executive of the licensing justices for the relevant Licensing Authority,
(ii) a solicitor or notary,
(iii) a person of standing in the community; or
(iv) an individual with a professional qualification.
- National Certificate Level II for Personal Licence Holders.
- Criminal conviction certificate or a criminal record certificate or the results of a subject search of the police national computer by the National Intelligence Service. Currently this criminal record check is available only by completing an online Basic Disclosure Form on the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) website at www.disclosurescotland.co.uk. The results of these disclosures must be issued no earlier than one month before the application is given.
You may apply by downloading the attached form and sending together with any required supporting documentation:
email: licensing@easthant.gov.uk
or post to:
East Hampshire District Council
Licensing Office
PO Box 176
Penns Place
Petersfield
Hampshire
GU31 4WT
Failed application redress
Please contact us in the first instance:
Tel: 01730 234355 email: licensing@easthants.gov.uk
Licence holder redress
Please contact us in the first instance:
Tel: 01730 234355 email: licensing@easthants.gov.uk
Consumer complaint
We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery).
If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct (external link) will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre (external link).
Please contact the Local Authority:
Tel: 01730 234355 email: licensing@easthants.gov.uk