Licensing Act (2003)

How have the Licensing Laws changed?

Where alcohol is sold this will be under the authorisation of a previous licence holder.  In addition such premises must appoint a designated premises supervisor (DPS) who must hold a personal licence.

In addition, there will be the introduction of a new Club Premises Certificate and a notification process for smaller events taking place over a limited number of days, called Temporary Event Notices, which will cover both the provision of regulated entertainment and the provision of alcohol.

Under the Licensing Act 2003, licences will be required for any of the following :-

• Retail sale of alcohol
• Performance of a play
• Exhibition of a film
• Indoor sporting events
• Boxing or wrestling events (whether indoors or outdoors)
• Performing live music
• Playing recorded music
• Dancing
• Providing facilities for making music or dancing
• Supplying hot food or drink between 11.00 pm and 5.00 am

Lewes District Council are the Licensing Authority under this regime and have produced a Statement of Licensing Policy which explains what factors the Council will take into account when considering an application and how we will monitor compliance with any conditions imposed. For a copy of this document, please see the 'Relevant documents' section on the right hand side of this page.

The Licensing Policy has been based on Guidance supplied by central Government and will explain the four main aims of the Council in relation to licensing which are as follows :-

• Prevention of crime and disorder
• Public safety
• Prevention of public nuisance
• Protection of children from harm

The aim is to help build a fair and prosperous society, properly balancing the rights of people and their communities by following the above principles. It also intends to encourage tourism, reduce alcohol misuse, improve the self-sufficiency of local communities and reduce the burden of unnecessary regulations on businesses.

Guidance notes for applications have been produced. For a copy of this leaflet, please see the 'Relevant documents' section on the right hand side of this page. This guidance, together with the relevant application forms, are also available by contacting the Lewes District Council Licensing Section. For copies of the relevant forms, please see 'Relevant Documents' and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) external links at the bottom of this page.

A full list of licensed club premises on the Lewes District Council area has been produced, highlighting the premises and club details, the operating hours and activities granted and any variation that has been applied for. To view this document, please see the 'Relevant documents' section on the right hand side of this page.

Premises licences and club premises certificates fees are linked to the non-domestic rateable value of the premises.  For a full list of the Licensing Act fees please see the 'Relevant Documents' section.

Specific procedures are available for members of the public, interested parties and responsible authorities to ask for a premises licence or club premises certificate to be reviewed.   For further information of the review procedures please see the 'Relevant Documents' section and the DCMS external link at the bottom of this page.

The new permitted temporary event notices (TENs) replace the old occasional licences and occasional permissions. These are a light touch system for temporary events and they will allow village halls, schools and similar venues to easily apply for, and put on one off events involving the sale of alcohol and/or public entertainment. Events covered by a TEN can last for up to 96 hours and must involve no more than 499 people. The organiser of the event must submit two copies of the application to the local authority and one to the Police at least ten days before the event is due to take place. A TEN costs £21. Background information on TENs and the relevant forms are available on the DCMS website (please see the relevant external link below).

Contact Details

Lewes District Council
Planning & Environmental Services,
Southover House,
Southover Road
Lewes
BN7 1BW

Email: ehealth@lewes.gov.uk

Tel: 01273 484953

Mobile: 07966645045

Police Licensing Officer
Police Station
New Town
Uckfield
TN22 5DL

Email: allan.lofthouse@sussex.pnn.police.uk

Tel: 0845 6070999 ext 33324

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