Licence - private clubs

Club Premises Certificate

What is a Club Premises Certificate?

The Club Premises Certificate permits clubs which meet specified criteria set out in the Licensing Act 2003 to supply alcohol and conduct ‘qualifying club activities’. Public access is restricted to clubs, and alcohol is supplied other than for profit: for these reasons the Licensing Act affords clubs special treatment outside the normal premises licence arrangements. There is no requirement for a qualifying club to have a designated premises supervisor or personal licence holder.

A club can apply for a certificate for any premises which are occupied and used regularly for club purposes. Club Premises Certificates are obtained from the Licensing Authority where the club premises are actually situated – please make sure you apply to the right Licensing Authority.

What is the definition of a club?

Only qualifying clubs can use a Club Premises Certificate. Qualifying clubs must meet a number of criteria:

The club is established and conducted in good faith as a club,
The club has at least 25 members,
Alcohol may not be supplied to members on the premises other than by or on behalf of the club.

Also, a Club Premises Certificate will include additional conditions in relation to the supply of alcohol. You must ensure that:

any alcohol purchased for and supplied by the club is managed by club members who are over 18 years of age and are elected to do so by the club,
no person at the expense of the club receives any commission, percentage or other similar payment in regard to the purchase of alcohol by the club,
there are no arrangements for anyone to receive financial benefit from supplying alcohol, apart from any benefit to the club.

Registered industrial and provident societies and friendly societies qualify if members, or a committee of members, control the purchase and supply of any alcohol which is sold.

Any alcohol purchased by the club and sold to its members cannot generate more profit than is required to run the club.

Legal Regulations

A summary of the legal regulations relating to Club Premises Certificates is available.

How do I apply for a Club Premises Certificate?

To make an application, please send us:

A completed application form – if you have a full operating schedule of your proposed club activities already prepared, you can attach that in place of Part 2 of the form,
A full copy of the rules of the club,
A detailed plan of your premises. A guidance sheet for this is available,
The appropriate fee (cheques made payable to Sevenoaks District Council).

If you apply in writing by post, you must also provide copies of your application to the seven Responsible Authorities.

Alternatively, you can complete your application for a Club Premises Certificate online. You can attach electronic copies of the relevant documents and you will be redirected to the online payment screen at the end of the form.

How much do I need to pay?

The fee schedule for a Club Premises Certificate varies widely depending on the Rateable Value of your premises. Fees are set by national law, and a full listing is available for download.

The certificate fee is payable annually. You can do this by cheque, made payable to Sevenoaks District Council, or you can fill in the necessary form and pay online.

How long will it take to process my licence?

It takes 56 calendar days to process a new Club Premises Certificate application from the time that we receive all the relevant paperwork and payment. A consultation period with all relevant authorities and with the public is included in this time.

Can I consider my licence granted afterwards?

If you do not hear back from us after this time has expired, you can consider your application granted. However, the “clock” can stop if we need to ask you for any further information – so please stay in touch with us during the application period.

What else do I need to do?

On the first day that we receive your complete application, you must put up a notice at your premises advertising your Club Premises Certificate application. This must state the last date when representations can be made, which is 28 days from the date on which we receive your application.

Within 10 days of us receiving your application, you must place an advertisement in the local newspaper – there is a guidance note available on this, and a list of newspaper contacts. This must also state the last date for representations.

You must submit a confirmation of advertisement with your application form, either by post, or as a scanned attachment to your online form.

Making changes to your Club Premises Certificate

If you wish to make any changes to your hours, the regulated activities you provide, or substantial changes to the layout of your premises, you need to apply to us. If you are in any doubt as to whether the change you would like to apply for is a major variation to your certificate or a minor change, please contact the Licensing Team using the details to the right of this page and they will be able to advise you.

If any representations are made concerning an application to vary or transfer a licence, or the conditions of the licence transfer are not met, we must hold a public hearing.

To vary your certificate, or apply for a minor change, you will also need to advertise in a local paper and/or at your premises. Please call the Licensing Team on 01622 602000 to discuss your plans and find out which procedure applies.

Varying your Certificate

For any substantial variation to your licence, a similar procedure to a new application is involved, and you will need to pay a similar fee. Major variations take 56 calendar days to process. To apply for a major variation, there is a form available for download and post in to us, or you can apply online. Applications should include a copy of the existing certificate.

Minor Variations

For minor administrative changes, or minor changes of layout, there is a fee of £89.00. It will take 15 days to update your licence. You can apply online to formalise these arrangements. Alternatively, contact the Licensing Section using the details at the right hand of the page, and they will post you a hard copy to complete and return. Applications should include a copy of the existing certificate.

Change of Club rules

You must inform us if there have been any changes to your club rules or any other details. There is a fee of £10.50 for this, and it will take 14 days to update your licence. You can apply online to do this, or notify us in writing using the details to the right of this page. Applications should include a copy of the existing certificate.

What happens if there is a problem with a Club Premises Application?

For more information on what to do if your application has failed, or if you want to complain about an application to sell alcohol or the granting of a certificate, or if you want to complain about the running of a club, please read our guidance on “What happens if there is a problem with a Club Premises Application?”.

The council operates a complaints procedure if you are unhappy with the service you have received.