The 2003 act recognises that club premises have different licensing law issues to commercial enterprises selling directly to the public. This applies to club premises where the public has restricted access, and where alcohol is supplied other than for profit. The 2003 act preserves aspects of earlier alcohol licensing law that applied to registered members' clubs. For example:
- Labour, conservative and liberal clubs
- Service clubs
- Workings men’s clubs
- Sports clubs.
At these clubs there are technically no sales by retail of alcohol except to guests when they make a purchase. Where members are involved, there is no sale of alcohol. This is because the member owns part of the alcohol stock.
Qualifying as a club
Section 62 of the 2003 act sets out general conditions needed to qualify as a club. These are:
- Instant membership is not permitted. Members must wait at least two days between their application and admission to the club.
- The club must have at least 25 members.
- Alcohol is not supplied, or intended to be supplied to members on the premises, unless it is supplied by, or on behalf, of the club.
- The club is established and conducted in good faith as a club. Section 63 of the act states the matters to be taken into account to determine whether a club is established and conducted in good faith.
Clubs have traditionally not been ‘licensed’ because ‘sales’ do not take place there. The 2003 act preserves this special treatment.
These clubs should not be confused with proprietary clubs, which are clubs run commercially by individuals, partnerships or businesses for the purpose of profit. Proprietary clubs need a premises licence. They are not eligible to be qualifying clubs.
What you need to enclose with your application:
- Copies or certified copies of appropriate registrations and licences (for example: club registration rules, public entertainment licence, certificate of suitability, conditions etc)
- The required fee (see below)
- A plan of the premises (scale 1:100).
If you would like further information or advice contact the licensing unit on 01724 297592.
Downloadable documents:
Application forms
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List of addresses for licensing and statutory consultees and licensing fees:
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Please note the form of notice must be printed onto pale blue A4& paper.
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