About the Licensing Act 2003
We are the licensing authority for the Dover district and are responsible for setting the Licensing Policy required under the Act. This Policy Statement takes effect on 7 January 2016 and will remain in force for a period of 5 years. It will be subject to regular review by the Licensing Authority. This may lead to interim provisions within the five year period that would then be published in a revised policy statement.There will be further consultation prior to the renewal of the policy.
The Act sets a number of activities that must be licensed:
- Sale of alcohol by retail
- Supply of alcohol in a members club
- The provision of regulated entertainment (ie performance of a play, exhibition of a film, indoor sporting event, boxing or wrestling, performance of live or provision of recorded music and performance of dance or dancing.)
- Late Night Refreshment (the provision of hot food and hot drink to the public between 11pm and 5 am on any day)
Licences issued under the Act fall into three areas:
The holding of 'one off' events where a licence is not in force may, be authorised by a Temporary Event Notice.
Department for Culture Media and Sport set the Licensing Act fees. Premises Licences and Club Premises Certificate fees are based on the non-domestic rateable value of the property.
The law with regard to Children and Alcohol has been designed to encourage a family orientated atmosphere. This is dependent on the type of premises and whether the primary trade is the sale of alcohol.
Annual fees
Once a Premises Licence or Club Premises Certificate is granted then an annual fee is payable. If the annual fee is not paid when due the licence will be suspended until payment is made.
If the licence is suspended then no licensable activities may lawfully be carried out until payment is made. If you carry out unlicensed activities you may be liable, upon conviction, to a fine and/or a period of imprisonment.
If you feel there is an error or dispute which you need to resolve please contact us as a matter of urgency. Please do not ignore it.
Contact us
Telephone: 01304 872295
Email:
licensing@dover.gov.uk