Do I need this licence?
A Premise Licence is required by anyone who intends to carry on the business of permanent alcohol sales on their premises.
If you are only operating for a short time (eg catering a wedding reception) you need an Occasional licence. If you intend a permanent business but your premises have not been built or are in the course of construction or conversion, you need a Provisional premises licence.
Fees
There are 2 fees for this licence:
- The initial application fee is paid based on the rateable value of the premises. If your application is refused the fee is not refunded or reduced.
Please see our Licensing Fees.
- After the Licence is granted, you must pay an Annual Fee. It is a condition of a Premises Licence that an Annual Fee is paid. Annual Fees are due on 1st October each year or, where that date falls on a Saturday or Sunday, on the immediately following Monday.
Using the details contained in the notification letter sent by the Licensing Board, please:
Pay your Annual Fee
How to apply
We recommend you obtain legal advice before applying.
Complete and return a Premises Licence Application Form (Word, 64kb) along with:
- Operating Plan (Word, 69kb) – how the premises will operate
- Layout Plan
- the following Section 50 certificates,
Disabled access and facilities statement
You must include a Disabled access facilities statement (Word, 38kb).
What happens next?
Application details will be entered onto the Licensing Register. Applications are considered at a Licensing Board Meeting.
We consult with Police Scotland, the Health Board, the Community Council and council departments, and notify neighbours within 4 metres of the proposed premises. Your application will be advertised on this website for 21 days to allow members of the public to make any objections or representations.
Please note: it may take 2 to 3 months to process your application. If you haven’t heard from the Licensing Office within a reasonable period please contact us.
Does my Premises Licence have any conditions?
All Premises Licence have conditions set by law ('Mandatory Conditions'). These are set out in the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, Schedule 3.
The Board cannot change these. The Board can add conditions which reflect the Board's local policies, so the Board applies 'Standard Conditions'. These are based on the 'Mandatory Conditions' but include local additions.
These have been revised since they were first adopted in 2008. The most recent edition is 'Edition 5' - amended 18 March 2014 (Word 134kb).
If you already have a Licence with an earlier edition, it is at:
The Licensing Board can apply the newest edition to older Licences. This will only happen after you have had a chance to make representations to the Board.
Please note: We follow National Fraud Initiative guidelines to protect against fraud.