Alcohol and entertainment licence

The Licensing Act 2003 came into force in November 2005 and merged six licensing regimes into one new system.

The main licences under the new regime are:

• Premises licences

• Club premise certificates

• Personal licences

• Temporary event notices

There are separate pages providing further information on each of these.

The licensable activities which must be covered by one of the licences are:

• The sale by retail of alcohol

• The supply of alcohol by or on behalf of a club to, or to the order of, a member of the club

• The provision of regulated entertainment

• The provision of late night refreshment

Descriptions of entertainment include:

• A performance of a play

• An exhibition of a film

• An indoor sporting event

• A boxing or wrestling entertainment

• A performance of live music

• Any playing of recorded music

• A performance of dance

• Anything similar to that above

The Licensing Act 2003 goes into further detail on licensable activities and you should seek advice from the relevant licensing authority if you have any doubts.

Application forms are available from licensing authorities. Forms are also available from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

• Alcohol and entertainment licensing at Christchurch Borough Council

  Documents which are specific to Christchurch Borough Council. These will assist in making applications, making representations, understanding the licensing regime and procedures involved.

• Alcohol and entertainment licensing at East Dorset District Council

  Applicants, objectors and licensees are invited to contact the Licensing Section if assistance is required with submitting applications or representations.

• Alcohol and entertainment licensing at North Dorset District Council

  Information about types of licences and current applications for alcohol and entertainment licences in North Dorset.

• Alcohol and entertainment licensing at Purbeck District Council

  Purbeck District Council is the licensing authority under the Licensing Act 2003 responsible for the licensing of alcohol sales, regulated entertainment and late night refreshment within the district.

• Alcohol and entertainment licensing at West Dorset District Council

  West Dorset District Council is responsible for licensing alcohol sales, regulated entertainment and late night refreshment in the district.

• Alcohol and entertainment licensing at Weymouth & Portland Borough Council

  Weymouth & Portland Borough Council is the licensing authority under the Licensing Act 2003 responsible for the licensing of alcohol sales, regulated entertainment and late night refreshment within the district.

• Club premises certificates

  These certificates will authorise qualifying clubs to use club premises for qualifying club activities.

• Personal licences

  This licence allows the holder to sell alcohol or allow the supply of alcohol at a premises that has a valid premises licence.

• Temporary event notices

  Temporary Event Notices (TENs) can be used to authorise small-scale events involving no more than 499 people.

• Guidance notes for traders

  A guide to the trading standards law applying to licensed premises.

• Hypnotism Authorisation

  Guidance about how to apply for a hypnotism licence.