Two licences, doing different jobs
The premises licence attaches to the building and sets out what it may do and when: the hours alcohol may be sold, whether there is live music, whether children are admitted, and any conditions the council has attached.
The personal licence attaches to a person. Every venue selling alcohol must name a Designated Premises Supervisor who holds one, and every sale of alcohol must be made or authorised by a personal licence holder.
Why closing times differ across one street
There is no national closing time. Hours are set venue by venue in the premises licence, which is why two pubs a few doors apart can close an hour apart. Conditions often reflect objections made when the licence was granted or last varied.
Councils publish their licensing registers, so if a venue near you is operating later than you expect, the licence itself will tell you what it is permitted to do.
The four licensing objectives
Every licensing decision in England and Wales must be made by reference to four objectives: preventing crime and disorder, public safety, preventing public nuisance, and protecting children from harm. Nothing else is legally relevant, which is why objections about competition or property prices carry no weight.
- Objections must relate to one of the four licensing objectives
- They must be made within the consultation period, usually 28 days
- Anyone can object, and you no longer need to live nearby
Age checks and refusal
Selling alcohol to someone under 18 is an offence for the seller personally as well as for the business, which is why most venues operate Challenge 21 or Challenge 25 and ask for photographic identification well past that age. Staff may refuse service to anyone they believe is drunk, and are required to.
Frequently asked questions
- Can children go into a pub?
- It depends on the individual premises licence. Some allow accompanied children until a set time, some restrict them to areas serving food, and some do not admit them at all. The licence, not the law alone, decides.
- How do I object to a new licence application?
- Applications must be advertised at the premises and in the local press, and the council publishes them. Representations go to the council licensing team within the consultation period and must relate to one of the four licensing objectives.
- Does a pub have to serve me?
- No. A pub is private property and can refuse service without giving a reason, provided the refusal is not on grounds protected by the Equality Act 2010, such as race, sex, disability, religion, age or sexual orientation.
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About this guide
Written and maintained by the LocalListed editorial team. It describes UK regulation and consumer protections in general terms and is not legal, financial or professional advice. Rules differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and change over time: always check the position with the named regulator before relying on it.