Pub licence UK: how to get the licences to run a pub (2026)

In England and Wales, a pub needs three things to sell alcohol: a premises licence for the building, a designated premises supervisor (DPS) named on it, and a personal licence held by that DPS. A personal licence costs £37 and needs an accredited Level 2 qualification. Premises licence fees run from £100 to £1,905 to apply, depending on rateable value. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different systems.

This guide covers each licence, the fees, taking over an existing pub, temporary events, and the rules in each nation.

Not legal advice. Licensing decisions belong to your council (England and Wales), licensing board (Scotland) or the courts (Northern Ireland). Pub agreements and licence transfers are worth a specialist licensing solicitor.

The three pub licences (England and Wales)

Staff behind the bar don't each need a personal licence. Every alcohol sale must be authorised by a personal licence holder, usually the DPS. Many pubs get a second staff member licensed as cover.

Personal licence: how to get one

You must:

1. Be 18 or over.
2. Pass an accredited personal licence qualification, such as a Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders. It's usually a one-day course with a short exam.
3. Get a basic criminal record check (DBS basic disclosure). Councils want a recent one, so check how recent yours must be.
4. Show your right to work in the UK.
5. Apply to the council where you live (not where the pub is), with two passport photos (one endorsed), and pay £37.

Relevant criminal convictions can lead the police to object. The licence is valid anywhere in England and Wales, and there's no renewal. You must tell the council if you change your name or address (£10.50).

Premises licence: fees and how to apply

Fees by rateable value band

Source: GOV.UK alcohol licensing fee levels (Licensing Act 2003 (Fees) Regulations 2005). Premises exempt from business rates are in band A.

Applying for a new premises licence

Most people taking a pub inherit an existing licence (see the next section). A new licence is needed for a new venue, or a building that has lost its licence.

1. Complete the application and an operating schedule: licensable activities, hours, the DPS, and how you'll promote the four licensing objectives (preventing crime and disorder, public safety, preventing public nuisance, and protecting children from harm).
2. Attach a plan of the premises and the DPS's signed consent form.
3. Pay the fee for your band.
4. Copy the application to responsible authorities (police, fire, environmental health, planning, trading standards, child protection and others). Online applications may be copied by the council.
5. Advertise with a pale blue A4 notice at the premises for at least 28 consecutive days, and once in a local newspaper within 10 working days of applying.
6. Representations: anyone can comment, for or against, if it relates to the licensing objectives.
7. Decision: no relevant objections means the council must grant it. With objections, there's a hearing, and the council may add conditions, cut hours or refuse. You can appeal to the magistrates' court.

Mandatory conditions apply to every licence that covers alcohol. They include no irresponsible promotions, free tap water on request, an age verification policy (most pubs use Challenge 25), smaller measures available, and no sales below the permitted price. Display a summary of the premises licence prominently and keep the full licence (or a certified copy) on site. Not doing so is an offence.

Taking over an existing pub: transfer and change of DPS

If you're taking on a tenancy, lease or freehold, the pub almost always has a premises licence already. You usually need two applications:

Fees are set nationally: £23 for a transfer, £23 to vary the DPS, and £23 for an interim authority notice. Managed pubs and many tenancies have the pub company as premises licence holder, so you'd only need the change of DPS. Check with the pub company before you start.

Check the existing licence before you sign anything. Read its hours, conditions (for example, last entry times or door staff), the plan and any past reviews. Conditions travel with the licence.

Temporary Event Notices (TENs)

A TEN lets you carry out licensable activities for a one-off event, such as a beer festival in a field, extra hours for a big match, or a bar at a wedding.

• Fee: £21
• Fewer than 500 people at any time, including staff
• Up to 168 hours (7 days) per event
• Up to 15 TENs per premises per year, totalling no more than 21 days
• Individuals: 5 a year, or 50 if you hold a personal licence
• Give at least 10 clear working days' notice. "Late TENs" (5 to 9 working days) are limited.

Other licences and permissions pubs need

• Late night refreshment: hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am must be on your premises licence. See our takeaway licence guide.
• Regulated entertainment: plays, films, indoor sport, boxing, live or recorded music and dance, in front of an audience. Live and recorded music in a pub licensed for drinking on site is exempt between 8am and 11pm while it's open for alcohol sales. For amplified music, the audience must be 500 people or fewer.
• Music: TheMusicLicence from PPL PRS for playing music in public.
• Food: register with the council at least 28 days before serving food.
• Gaming machines: a pub licensed to sell alcohol for drinking on site can have up to two category C or D machines by notifying the council and paying a fee.
• Pavement licence from the council for outside tables on the pavement in England (up to £500 for a new licence).
• Tips: if you take tips or service charge, follow the UK tipping law.

Pub licensing in Scotland

Scotland uses the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, run by local licensing boards.

• Premises licence from the licensing board, with an operating plan.
• A premises manager (Scotland's version of the DPS) who holds a personal licence must be named.
• Personal licences last 10 years. Holders must complete refresher training every 5 years and send proof to the board, or the board must revoke the licence.
• An occasional licence covers one-off events.
• Scotland has five licensing objectives, including protecting and improving public health.
• An English or Welsh personal licence isn't valid in Scotland, and a Scottish one isn't valid in England and Wales.
• Fees vary by board, so check your board's fee list.

Pub licensing in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is very different:

• Liquor licences are granted by the county court under the Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996, not by councils.
• The surrender principle generally means a new pub licence is only granted if an existing licence is surrendered. In practice, most new publicans buy an existing licensed pub or licence.
• An independent review in 2025 recommended reform. Check the Department for Communities for the latest position before you buy.
• Entertainment licences come from the council.

Pub licence by nation: summary

Pub licence checklist

• Decide your route: managed, tenancy, lease or freehold (see how to open a pub)
• Book your personal licence course and DBS basic check
• Apply for your personal licence (£37) to your home council
• Read the existing premises licence: hours, conditions, plan
• Apply to transfer the premises licence and/or change the DPS
• Register food with the council if you serve food
• Age verification policy and staff training records
• Licence summary on display; full licence on site
• Music licence, TV licence and gaming machine notification as needed
• Pay the annual premises licence fee on time (non-payment can lead to suspension)

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