An Occasional Licence is issued under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 to allow unlicensed premises to sell alcohol for occasions such as parties and other social functions. These occasions are usually one-off events and last only a few hours.
To apply for an Occasional Licence, please read the following guidance before completing an online application.
Application guidance
An Occasional Licence is only available where the premises are not already licensed for the sale of alcohol.
A licensed private members club can apply for an occasional licence if they intend to provide a function, or event, that is open to non-members.
Important: the Licensing Board needs at least 28 days from the date of lodging before it can grant the Licence. Applications that give less than 28 days notice will be subject to the Board's 'Late Policy'.
The process is likely to take longer than 28 days, if any of the following happens, as the application must be considered by the Board and there is the possibility of proceedings in the Sheriff Court:
- objections or representations
- comments from the Police or Licensing Standards Officer
- the applicant wants the Board to change the Standard Conditions - note: the Board cannot change the Schedule 4 Conditions
Fees
All fees can be found on our licence fees webpage.
The fee must be paid at time of application. The fee is non refundable if the licence is refused, or if you decide to withdraw the application.
Temporary structures
If a temporary structure (like a tent) is to be used, you will need to include a plan showing the area to be licensed. The Occasional Licence covers both the temporary structure and a roped area beside it reserved exclusively for this purpose.
The Licence Holder must follow the instructions of any officer of North Ayrshire Council prior to, and throughout the duration of the Occasional Licence.
Statement
Where alcohol is to be sold for consumption on the Premises, the Act requires that a statement be made as the whether children (under 16) and young persons (aged 16 or 17) are to be allowed entry, and if they are, a statement of the terms on which they are allowed entry.
Who can apply
Only the following may apply for an Occasional Licence:
- the holder of a Premises Licence (including clubs which hold a Premises Licence)
- the holder of a Personal Licence
- a representative of any voluntary organisation
Please note: a voluntary organisation can only have an Occasional Licence for an event taking place in connection with its activities.
Staff training
All staff, selling or serving alcohol, should have the same level of training which would be required of staff on other Licensed Premises. This requirement applies to all Occasional Licences including those granted to voluntary organisations.
Limits to the number of applications
There are limits to the number of Occasional Licences that can be applied for by voluntary organisations and clubs. In any 12 month period there can be no more than:
- 4 with a duration of 4 days or more
- 12 with a duration of less than 4 days
- 56 days in total
Please note: clubs which have given up their Section 125 status are not subject to these limits.
Occasional licence period and hours
The Licensing Board's Policy on hours
Alcohol sales should not start before 11am and should not continue after:
- 12 midnight on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
- 1am on Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Applications for hours outside these times are referred to a full meeting of the Board, where applicants must demonstrate to the Board that the additional requested hours are appropriate in the circumstances.
Please note: due to the Board's timetable it is possible that the meeting would not be until after the date of your proposed event.
In some cases, where an event is to be held on council property, the time covered by the Occasional Licence may be less than the period applied for. This is to allow for clearing of the premises at the end of the event.
Apply for an Occasional Licence
Application submitted, what happens next?
Where the Board receives the application it:
Police Scotland and the Licensing Standards Officer can comment on the application.
Any person, for example a local resident, can make objections or representations.
Any Occasional Licence will be subject to Parts A & H (and any additional relevant sections) of the Board’s Standard Conditions and include obligatory conditions set by Law (Schedule 4 to the 2005 Act). They are reviewed from time to time and the version which will apply will be the most recent version.