Premises licence application

Apply for a premises licence if you want to sell or provide any other licensable activities on a permanent basis.

Before you start

Get pre-application advice

Our pre-application advice service will make the process of applying for a premises licence run more smoothly.

Planning permission

You must ensure that you have the correct planning permissions in order to turn a property into a licensed premises. For example:

  • by making sure that your premises is the correct use class, and if it isn't, putting in a planning application for a change of use; or,
  • checking for any restrictions that would prevent it being used for licensable activities.

Transfers

If you've just acquired or moved into the property, it is worth checking with the proprietor or landlord if there is already a licence in place, if so you can apply to transfer a premises licence

How much it costs

There is an application fee and an annual fee. You will be charged the annual fee until you surrender your licence.

Fees depend on the rateable value of the premises. If your premises doesn't have a rateable value eg schools, community halls or open spaces, it will fall into the lowest fee band.

There are increased fees for exceptionally large scale events (attendance of over five thousand). These are based on the numbers attending.  

View the scale of fees now

View premises licence fees

How to apply

You will need to

Log into your MyAccount (or create an account if you don't already have one) to complete the form. MyAccount is an easier and quicker way to interact with us and is available 24/7

  • complete the application form
  • upload supporting documentation
  • pay the appropriate fee

You must send copies of your application to the Police and other responsible authorities.  (A copy of the completed form will be emailed to you after submission)

Guidance for premises plans

Consent to be Designated Premises Supervisor

Apply for a premises licence

Advertising your application

You will need to:

  • wait for the Licensing team to contact you and confirm that the application is complete and ready for consultation and advertising
  • display a notice of application on light blue paper at the premises Notice of application for premises licence (PDF, 19KB); and
  • place a notice in the local paid for newspaper. The Herald or Kentish Express that covers the area that the premises resides. The notice must appear in the newspaper within 10 days of submitting the application. This gives local residents and businesses 28 days to read your proposal and make representations if they wish. make representations

What happens next?

We'll process your application in 24 hours and if there are no representations at the end of the 28 day representation period, we'll issue your licence 24 hours later.

If there are representations,  The Licencing Sub-Comittee will hold a hearing, which all parties will be invited to attend. At the hearing, the Licensing Sub-Committee will decide either to grant or reject your application.

We will write to you to confirm the decision, and tell you what you can do if you wish to appeal.