Premises Licence Variation
Where a Premises Licence holder wishes to amend the licence, the Licensing Act (2003) allows, in most cases, for an application to vary to be made rather than requiring an application for a new Premises Licence.
The areas in which a Premises Licence can be varied include:
varying the hours during which a licensable activity is permitted;
adding or removing licensable activities;
amending, adding or removing conditions within a licence; and
altering any aspect of the layout of the premises which is shown on the plan.
Variations are divided into two types:
Minor - Small change(s) to the licence that will not affect the licensing objectives of preventing crime and disorder, public safety, preventing public nuisance and protecting children from harm.
Generally speaking, a minor variation will fall into one of 4 categories:
- Changes to the structure or layout of the premises (providing they are not substantial changes)
- Small adjustments to the licensing hours (although never to extend the hours for the sale of alcohol
- The removal of out of date, irrelevant or unenforceable conditions, or the addition of volunteered conditions
- The addition of certain licensable activities.
Full Variation - Variations to add the sale by retail or supply of alcohol or to increase the amount of time during which it may be sold or supplied (in Clubs) to the licence are excluded from the minor variations process and must be treated as full variations in all cases.
If you would like further information or assistance with your variation click here to contact the PLAS team.