We understand that the needs of your business may well change over time.
We were very happy with the support we received from TV Edwards throughout our, ultimately successful, premises licence application. They were diligent throughout, providing helpful guidance along the way and liaising with all of the relevant counterparties.
Trustees – North London Community group
Need Help with an Application to Vary a Premises Licence?
If you are planning to change a premises licence, getting the right legal advice at an early stage can make the process much smoother. A poorly prepared application or unclear proposal can result in objections or restrictions being placed on your business. Our experienced licensing solicitors can:
- Advise you on the best approach when seeking to vary a premises licence
- Help prepare and structure your application
- Represent your interests throughout the process
How to Apply to Vary a Premises Licence
At TV Edwards, we understand that the needs of your business may well change over time. You might want to extend your hours of operation or undertake a new licensable activity.
You might want to completely change the nature of your business, or you might have taken over a business that already has a Premises licence that doesn’t quite work for you or doesn’t permit you to carry out the sort of activities that you would like to.
To make a change to your Premises Licence, you will need to make an application to the local authority to vary it. Unless you are seeking to make only minor changes, the full variation process will need to be followed.
The process for applying for a licence variation is very similar to the process for applying for a new premises licence.
The application must be made to the local authority. You will be asked to set out both in broad terms and in detail exactly what the changes are that you wish to make. The application form goes on to ask you to set out what additional steps (if any) you intend to take to ensure that the changes you are proposing will not have an adverse impact on the licensing objectives.
You will also need to advertise the application in a local newspaper and by way of a formal notice displayed at the premises.
Once submitted, the application is subject to a 28-day consultation period. During this time, representations may be made by any person and/or responsible authorities. Should no representations be received, the proposed variation will be granted automatically at the end of this period.
Where representations are made, the licensing authority must hold a hearing within 20 working days, unless all parties agree that a hearing is not required. At such a hearing, the licensing sub-committee will hear arguments from all parties before deciding whether or not to grant the proposed variation.
How We Can Help with Varying a Premises Licence
TV Edwards’ licensing team has a proven track record of making successful applications to vary Premises Licences. We can:
- provide you with advice on your application, or we can look after the whole process for you from beginning to end
- help you make sure that your application is consistent with the local licensing policy or if it differs from that policy
- help you justify why that difference should be acceptable
- help you negotiate terms with responsible authorities and other interested parties
- advise you on which parts of your application are likely to succeed and which parts might need to be amended before submission
We deliver expert solutions with professionalism, clarity, respect and care. We pride ourselves on being open, approachable and easy to communicate with.
Recent Variations of Premises Licenses
Chicken shops in Sheffield, Birmingham and Oxford – successful applications made to extend the hours permitted in the licence in some cases to 04:00am.
Pizzeria (East London) – application to vary the licensed area after the client had substantially extended the size of his business.
Restaurant (North London) – adding the supply of alcohol to an existing licence.
Fees for our services
Our Licensing fees vary depending on the complexity of each case. Every case is different. Some applications will be very straightforward whilst others might be extremely complex. Factors will include:
- whether the licence sought is for a premises in a cumulative impact zone
- whether the application deviates from local authority policies
- whether local objections are anticipated and how novel or unusual the application is.
Further information on our Licensing fees can be found here. Contact us today for a no obligation estimate of our fees in your case.
Why Choose TV Edwards?
- Highly ranked in legal directories – Legal 500 and Chambers UK
- Immediate emergency support – call us on 0203 440 8000
- Specialist representation – police station advisers, solicitors, and higher court advocates
- Hardworking problem-solvers – we fearlessly challenge evidence, protecting your interests
- Honest and down-to-earth – we explain your options compassionately and in plain English
Client Testimonials
Contact us today
Related Licensing Services
Varying a Premises Licence FAQs
When would an application for the full variation of a premises licence be required?
The parts of a premises licence that can be changed are:
- altering the layout of the premises shown on the plan
- changing permitted times for existing activities or opening hours
- adding or removing licensable activities
- amending, adding or removing the conditions on a licence
What parts of a licence cannot be changed?
You can’t make changes, using the variation process, to:
- transfer the licence from one premises to another
- change the designated premises supervisor
What is a DPS variation?
A DPS variation is the formal application required under the Licensing Act 2003 to change the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS).
If your designated premises supervisor (DPS) no longer works at the premises, the premises licence holder will need to apply for a licence variation to specify someone new.
