You can transfer a premises licence to another person or company. This usually happens when the premises has been sold from one person/company to another. A transfer of the licence only changes the identity of the holder of the licence and does not alter the licence in any other way.

The following person may apply for the transfer of premises licence:

  • A person who carries on, or proposes to carry on, a business which involves the use of the premises for the licensable activities to which the application relates.
  • A person who makes the application pursuant to: any statutory function discharged by that person which relates to those licensable activities or any function discharged by that person by virtue of Her Majesty's prerogative,a recognised club.
  • A charity.
  • The proprietor of an educational institution.
  • A health service body.
  • A person who is registered under Part 2 of the Care Standards Act 2000 Opens in a new window (c. 14) in respect of an independent hospital (in Wales)/A person who is registered under Chapter 2 of Part 1 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 Opens in a new window in respect of the carrying on of a regulated activity (within the meaning of that Part) in an independent hospital in England.
  • The chief officer of police of a police force in England.
  • Any individual aged 18 or over.

Applications

You can apply for a transfer of premises licence by completing an application form and sending it to us with:

  • The correct fee
  • Premises licence or, if that is not practicable, a statement of the reasons for the failure to provide the licence.
  • Consent of the Premises Licence Holder to transfer the licence - download the form, complete it and upload it with the application if applying online
  • Important - Due to the recent introduction of the Immigration Act 2016, from 6 April 2017 any individual/s other than a Limited Company applying for the transfer of a premises licence must now send a photocopy of identification to prove they have the right to work in the UK. Details of which documents can be accepted can be found in the ‘Guidance Notes’ of the application form.
  Apply to transfer a premises licence Opens in a new window

  Download a consent of a premise licence holder to transfer a licence form

If you make an application online, you are not required to send a copy of the application to the Responsible Authorities, we will do this for you. 

Paper Applications

You can also apply for a new licence by downloading and completing an application form and sending it to us.

  Download a consent of a premise licence holder to transfer a licence form

  Download application form for the transfer of a premises licence

If you submit a paper application you must also send a copy to the Police and The Home Office (Immigration Enforcement).

List of Responsible Authorities
Contact details of the authorities that require notices to be sent to them following applications.

Fees

The fee for a transfer of premises licence is £23.

Licensing Fees
Details of licensing fees and annual fees for premises licences and club premises certificates.

Additional information for applicants

The Licensing Act 2003 provides a mechanism, which allows the transfer to come into immediate interim effect as soon as we receives the application, until it is formally determined or withdrawn. This is to ensure that there is no interruption to normal business at the premises.

The Chief Officer of Police has 14 days, beginning with the day on which they are notified of the application, to consider the transfer.

They can either:

  • issue an objection notice if they believe that the transfer may undermine the crime prevention objective as set out in the Licensing Act 2003; or
  • raise no objection to the application.

If no objection is received then we will transfer the licence in accordance with the application, amend the licence accordingly and issue it to the new holder. This will usually be done within 7 days from the close of the 14-day consultation period.

The total timescale for dealing with a transfer application (no objection received) is therefore expected to be no more than 21 consecutive days commencing with the correct receipt of the application paperwork (including the Chief Officer of Police) and the associated fee.

If an objection to the application is received from the Chief Officer of Police, the applicant will be notified and we must hold a hearing to consider the objection.

The Committee’s consideration would be confined only to the issue of the Crime Prevention Objective. The burden would be on the Chief Officer of Police to demonstrate to the committee that there were good grounds for believing that the transfer of the licence would undermine the Crime Prevention Objective. In this case, the committee would reject the transfer. Otherwise, the transfer would be approved.

A right of appeal exists to the Magistrates' Court for both applicant and Chief Officer of Police and it must be lodged with the Court within 21 consecutive days of the date of the objection notice.

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