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Apply for a personal licence

A personal licence allows you to authorise the sale or supply of alcohol.

A licensed alcohol premises must have at least one personal licence holder. One of these will be named the designated premises supervisor (DPS). This person is then responsible for:

  • the sale or supply of alcohol at the premises
  • the day to day running of the premises

Every sale of alcohol under the premises licence must be authorised by the DPS or by another person who has a personal licence.

Personal licences do not expire.

Who is eligible

To apply for a personal licence you must:

  • Be aged 18 or over
  • Be eligible to work or remain in the UK
  • Have not had a personal licence forfeited in the past 5 years
  • Have not been convicted of a relevant offence or foreign offence
  • Have an approved licensing qualification

Licensing qualifications are important to ensure that you are aware of licensing law and the wider social responsibilities attached to the sale of alcohol.

The council offers the Level 2 Award for Personal Licence holders.  Alternatively, the government has published details of the course syllabus and accredited the following qualifications.

How to apply

You can now get your Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders directly from Cheltenham Borough Council.

You will need to apply to the local authority for the area in which you live. For example, if you work in Cheltenham but live in Gloucester, you will need to apply to Gloucester City Council for your licence.

To make an application, you will need to provide us with:

  • A completed application form
  • A completed disclosure of convictions and declaration form
  • Two passport photographs - one of which must be endorsed by a professional (such as a solicitor or someone with a professional qualification) verifying the picture is a true likeness of you
  • Licensing qualification certificate
  • Documents to prove your eligibility to work or remain in the UK (please read the guidance notes on the application form
  • A basic DBS certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) dated no more than 1 month prior to the date you apply for your personal licence
  • The correct fee

Document Icon Personal Licence Application Form - docx - 52 Kb

Document Icon Convictions and declaration form - docx - 27 Kb

PDF Icon Alcohol and entertainment licensing fees - pdf - 48 Kb

If you move to a different address or change your name you must let us know, as we will always be the authority who reissues your licence regardless of where you live.

Determination

Providing your application is complete and you have not been convicted of a relevant or foreign offence, your personal licence will be granted. You should expect to receive your personal licence by email, and your ID badges and any original documents (DBS certificate and qualification certificate) through the post.

Convictions

If you have been convicted of a relevant or foreign offence, the police have the right to object if they consider that granting you a licence could undermine the prevention of crime and disorder licensing objective.

If an objection from the police is received you will be told and your application will then be referred to the licensing committee to make a decision.

If you do not agree with the decision made by the licensing committee you have the right to appeal to the magistrates' court. If you are not sure what the best course of action is for you, we would recommend that you seek legal advice.

Once your licence is granted you must let us know of any conviction occurring during the period of the licence.

Updating your personal licence

Once your licence is granted you must let us know of:

  • Any changes to your name
  • Any changes to your address
  • Any conviction occurring during the period of the licence

If you need a new personal licence or ID badge due to changes to your details (such as your address), or because your personal licence has been lost or stolen, we can provide this for a small fee. Please contact the licensing team to arrange at licensing@cheltenham.gov.uk.

PDF Icon Alcohol and entertainment licensing fees - pdf - 48 Kb

Tacit consent

Tacit consent applies to this application. This means that you can assume the authorisation has been granted (subject to standard conditions that might apply) if you have not received a decision notice from us within 42 calendar days.

The timeframe above takes into consideration the need for a licensing committee hearing. Where a decision is delegated to licensing officers, the timeframe for determining an application is likely to be less.

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