When premises first apply for a licence (or apply to vary their licence, or if the licence is reviewed), you can comment on the application to support or oppose it.
If you wish to make a comment on one of these applications, you must do it in writing by the advertised date - usually 28 days after the application was made.
Comment on a licence application
The Licensing Act 2003
Representations (comments) must relate to at least one or more of the licensing objectives to be regarded as a valid representation. The objectives are:
- preventing crime and disorder
- public safety
- preventing public nuisance
- protecting children from harm.
Applications for premises licences and club premises certificates are advertised near the premises and in local newspapers and current licence applications can be viewed via Public Access.
The Gambling Act 2005
Representations (comments) must relate to at least one of the licensing objectives to be regarded as a valid representation. The objectives are:
- Preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder or being used to support crime
- Ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way
- Protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.
Applications for premises licences are advertised near the premises and in local newspapers and current licence applications can be viewed via Public Access.
Sexual Entertainment Venue
Objections (comments) will usually be expected to relate to at least one of the following grounds:
- (a) that the applicant is unsuitable to hold the licence by reason of having been convicted of an offence or for any other reason;
- (b) that if the licence were to be granted, renewed or transferred the business to which it relates would be managed by or carried on for the benefit of a person, other than the applicant, who would be refused the grant, renewal or transfer of such a licence if he made the application himself;
- (c) that the number of sex establishments, or of sex establishments of a particular kind, in the relevant locality at the time the application is determined is equal to or exceeds the number which the authority consider is appropriate for that locality;]
- (d) that the grant or renewal of the licence would be inappropriate, having regard:
- (i) to the character of the relevant locality; or
- (ii) to the use to which any premises in the vicinity are put; or
- (iii) to the layout, character or condition of the premises, vehicle, vessel or stall in respect of which the application is made.
Applications for premises licences are advertised near the premises and in local newspapers and current licence applications can be viewed via Public Access.
Next steps
Applicants will have access to any comments that are made about their application, to allow them the opportunity to respond to the points raised.
Applications which have valid comments will be referred to a hearing of the Licensing Sub-committee.
The applicant and anyone who has made a valid comment will be invited to attend the hearing and present their case. The Sub-committee will then decide whether or not to grant the application, and whether to add conditions to any licence granted.