Anyone responsible for authorising the sale of alcohol needs a personal licence.
Personal licences are 'portable' between different premises throughout England and Wales. This allows a personal licence holder to authorise the sale of alcohol anywhere that has a premises licence.
There are different rules for supplying alcohol under a club premises certificate or temporary event notices (TENs).
How to apply for a personal licence
Anyone can apply for a personal licence. You do not have to be currently employed or have business interests relevant to the use of the licence.
However, we will only grant a personal licence if you:
- Are 18 or over
- Have the right to work in the UK
- Possess a relevant licensing qualification
- Have not forfeited a personal licence in the previous five years
- Have not been convicted of any relevant offence (though we may grant a licence if you have been convicted of a relevant offence, if the police don't object)
In addition, you must not already hold a personal licence or have applied for a personal licence with us or any other licensing authority.
We aim to process all applications for a personal licence within three to five days of receiving all relevant documents.
We recommend you read the following advice before you apply.
How to change details on a personal licence
You have to tell us by law if you are a personal licence holder, and there is a change to your name or address. Please do this by returning your licence (both paper and photo card) to us with a letter advising us of the change, and the relevant fee.
If your name has changed, you will also need to give us proof of the change, such as a copy of your marriage certificate.
We will then produce new licence documents, and post them back to you.
Cost of a personal licence
Please see our alcohol and entertainments fees and charges.
Register of personal licences
We hold a register of personal licences. Please contact us using the details below to see who is on the register.
Contact us