Who can apply

Any person aged 18 or over can apply for a premises licence. This will allow them to carry out licensable activities at a premises. It can be on a permanent basis or for a time limited period.

A 'person' in this context can be:

• an individual
• a business 
• a partnership
• a charity
• a hospital
• a school

Under the Licensing Act 2003 a premises can be any place including:

• a building
• a moveable structure
• an open space
• a vehicle or vessel

Planning permission

You need to have planning permission to use the premises for the activities you're applying for.

You also need to check there are no other issues, such as covenants, that could affect the use of the premises.

Filling in the application form

Please read through the whole application form before you start to fill it in. Also please read the guidance notes at the end.

You can fill the form in using Adobe Acrobat Reader. Alternatively, you can download and fill in the Microsoft Word version of the application form.

For the licensing objectives, see our list of basic conditions for examples of what you can include. This is a list of common conditions included in licences to make sure the objectives are met. Any details you give will be included as a condition of your licence.

Make sure you fill in all parts of the application that are relevant to you. You might also find it useful to read our frequently asked questions.

Premises plan

You need to include a concise and clear plan of the premises. Ideally these should be clear architectural plans. However, we are able to to accept clear drawings that meet the following:

• Are of the standard scale 1mm = 100mm (unless previously agreed by us in another format). We prefer that plans are not larger than A3 in size.
• Show the location of:
  • the extent of the boundary of the building (if relevant).
  • any external and internal walls which comprise the premises, or in which it is comprised.
  • points of access and egress.
  • escape routes, if different from the points of access and egress.
  • areas within the premises used for each activity. (This is in cases where the premises is to be used for more than one licensable activity.)
  • fixed structures (including furniture) or similar objects temporarily in a fixed location (but not furniture) which may impact on the ability of individuals on the premises to use exits or escape routes without impediment.
  • any stage or raised area and their height relative to the floor (if relevant).
  • any rooms containing public conveniences.
  • any fire safety/other safety equipment and its type (including for marine safety, if relevant).
  • any kitchen.
  • alcohol storage (if relevant).

The plan may include a key/legend which shows these locations using clear symbols and/or colours.

Evidence of right to work in the UK

If you're applying as an individual/sole trader, you must prove your right to work in the UK.

You can either provide:

• a 'share code' from the GOV.UK right to work checking service
• evidence such as your birth certificate, passport or residence permit

Designated premises supervisor (DPS) consent

If you're applying to license a premises to sell alcohol, it must have DPS. This is the person who will normally have the day to day responsibility for running the premises. The DPS must hold a personal licence.

The proposed DPS must complete a designated premises supervisor (DPS) consent form. You need to provide this as part of your application.

Responsible authorities

Responsible authorities are public bodies that must be notified of premises licence applications. They can then make representations to us about the application. Any representations made by them are relevant if they concern an effect on the licensing objectives.

If you apply online for a licence, we'll serve copies on all the responsible authorities for you. We'll do this within one working day.

If you apply by post, you must also post a copy to each of the responsible authorities. Your application isn't valid until you've done this.

Fees

All fees under the Licensing Act 2003 are set by the government. Fees are based on the non-domestic rateable (NDR) value of the premises. They're not affected by what you're applying for. You can find out the NDR value of your premises on GOV.UK.

NDR values are divided into five bands:

If a premises currently have no rateable value, the following applies:

• greenfield sites - band A
• construction commenced - band C

Where a premises is part of a larger premises, the rateable value of the whole premises is applied. Where a premises form part of a site with a number of buildings, the highest rateable value is applied.

The fee for the premises licence depends on the NDR value band: 

(Eg: premises with an NDR value of £5000 are in band B, so the fee is £190.)

Annual fee

Once granted, a premises licence incurs an annual fee. This is paid on the anniversary of the licence being granted. We'll send you an invoice when this is due. If you don't pay the fee this could result in the licence being suspended.

Fees for large events

Exceptionally large events of a temporary nature that need a premises licence are charged an additional fee on top of the premises licence fee. See our premises licence fees and charges page for details.

Statement of Licensing Policy

Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, acting as a licensing authority, have a statutory duty to review its Statement of Licensing Policy at least once every five years.

The statement sets out the principles that the licensing authority proposes to apply when exercising its functions under the Licensing Act 2003.

All applicants should read the Statement of Licensing Policy before making an application to the Council.

Consultation period

The responsible authorities have 28 consecutive days to consider the application. They can make representations to us about the application. Any representations made by them are relevant if they concern an effect on the licensing objectives.

If you've applied online for a licence, we'll serve copies on all the responsible authorities for you. We'll do this within one working day.

If you apply by post, you must also post a copy to each of the responsible authorities. Your application isn't valid until you've done this.

Members of the public also have a 28-day period to consider making a relevant representation.

We hold a hearing if we receive valid objections or representations from responsible authorities or any other person. This is whether or not they live or have a business in the vicinity.

A representation is not relevant if it does not directly relate to the application and to the promotion of one or more of the licensing objectives. Representations can be negative (objection) or positive (in support) and must be made in writing or by email.

Advertising your application

You need to advertise your application for the full 28-day consultation period.

We'll email you a draft copy of the 'blue notice' for display at the premises. This is only a draft example, based on your application. You need to make sure the details are correct.

Blue notice (for premises display)

The blue notice must be:

• of a size equal or larger than A4
• on pale blue paper
• printed legibly in black ink, or typed in black in a font size equal to or larger than size 16
• displayed prominently and immediately on or outside the premises. It must be displayed for a period of no less than 28 consecutive days. This period starts the day after you've submitted your application.
• displayed at 50m intervals for properties with a frontage onto a highway more than 50m long
• displayed on the barriers, obstructions or on nearby structures (such as lampposts) should access to the premises be restricted (due to fences, gates or construction barriers). A member of the public should be able to clearly find, identify and read the blue notice without difficulty.

Advertisement in local paper

You must place an advertisement in a local newspaper within ten working days of the date we receive your valid application.

A copy of this notice, once published, must be submitted to us.

Content of notice (for both premises display and the local paper)

The notice should clearly contain a brief summary of the application. It should set out details as follows:

• proposed relevant licensable activities to be carried out on or from the premises
• the name of the applicant
• the postal address of the premises. If there is no postal address, a description of the premises to enable the location and extent of it to be identified.
• the postal address where the Barnsley Council register is kept and where the record of the application may be inspected. (This address is: Licensing Duty Office, Westgate Plaza, Westgate One, Barnsley, S70 2DR.)
• the dates between which members of the public and responsible authorities may make representations
• a statement that representations must be made in writing
• a statement that it's an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application and the maximum fine for which a person is liable on summary conviction for the offence (£5000).

You may want to download and amend our template for a notice of application. This can be displayed at the premises and used to advertise in a local newspaper. Use Microsoft Word to amend the parts in yellow to make the notice relevant to your application.

The 28-day consultation period will restart if you fail to:

• display the blue notice for the full period
• advertise in a local newspaper within ten working days

Granting the licence

If no objections or relevant representations are made by responsible authorities or the public, we must grant the premises licence on the 29th consecutive day. This will be subject to the mandatory conditions and the operating schedule.

Tacit consent

Tacit consent applies for this licence. This means if you've not heard from us after 60 calendar days, you can act as though your application is granted. However, if we receive relevant representations we must hold a hearing and consider these, unless successful mediation has occurred.

The timescale for processing an application doesn't start until we've received all the information we need. Tacit consent will only apply to:

• applications submitted online
• postal application if you can show proof of delivery from a post office or recognised courier

Food premises licence

You will likely need to register as a food establishment. If you've applied for a new licence or to transfer a premises licence, we've enclosed a copy of the registration form. You may also register a food business on our food premises licences webpage.

Licence lapses

A premises licence lapses if the holder:

• dies
• becomes a person who lacks capacity (within the meaning of the Mental Capacity Act 2005) to hold the licence
• becomes insolvent
• is dissolved

A licence that authorises premises to be used for a licensable activity within section 1(1)(a) or (d) of the Licensing Act 2003 also lapses if the holder ceases to be entitled to work in the UK at a time when the holder of the licence is resident in the UK (or becomes so resident without being entitled to work in the UK).

Surrendering a licence

If you no longer need the licence, or if the business stops trading, you can surrender a premises licence.