Personal Licences for the Sale of Alcohol

Personal licences have to be used in conjunction with a premises licence (or temporary event notice) that authorises the retail sale of alcohol.  They are not needed in clubs because alcohol is "supplied," not sold.

Any premises selling alcohol will need at least one personal licence holder - the "designated premises supervisor."   There may be any number of additional personal licence holders at premises.

A personal licence holder can submit up to fifty Temporary Event Notices in a calendar year (rather than the normal five).  However, the limits on TEN's at premises are unchanged.

A personal licence authorises the specified person to supply alcohol or allow the supply of alcohol, in combination with a premises licence/ TEN.  Personal licences are valid for 10 years, and will be ‘portable’ between premises.  The holder must notify the original Licensing Authority of any change of name or permanent residential address.

The DCMS have published a list of accredited course qualification providers.  (46.52 KB)

For more information, please see our fact sheets on the Licensing Act 2003 page.

Applicants have to be over 18, who have not forfeited a personal licence in the previous five years, and have not got relevant or foreign criminal convictions that the Police consider make you unsuitable to be a personal licence holder.

Before returning the application form, you have to pass the new BIIAB National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (NCPLH) qualification, obtain a Criminal Record Bureau basic disclosure and provide two passport photographs.  You will need to fill in the application form and send it to the local authority where you live, together with payment (£37). 

Applicants have to be over 18, who have not forfeited a personal licence in the previous five years, and have not got relevant or foreign criminal convictions that the Police consider make you unsuitable to be a personal licence holder.

You can get a basic criminal record disclosures by telephone - 0870 6096006 - or online at http://www.disclosurescotland.co.uk.  The cost is about £20.

Details of what a relevant or foreign conviction is will be supplied on request.  If you have a conviction and the Police object to your application, details of that conviction will be made available to our licensing sub-committee for a decision to be taken.  The meetings are open to the public and committee reports are published.

Phone us if you would like application forms - on the Home Office website.

No. You cannot operate as though you have a licence until such time as you have that licence. Please contact us if you have not heard from us within ten working days.

On line applications are not supported.

Please contact us, in the first instance.

If an application for a licence is refused the failed applicant can appeal to the Magistrates' Court, within 21 days of notice of the decision.

Please contact us, in the first instance.

An applicant may appeal against a decision to reject a personal licence application to the Worcester Magistrates' Court within 21 days' of notice of the decision.

The Chief Officer of Police may appeal to the Magistrates' Court within 21 days, where we grant a personal licence despite Police objections (because of relevant criminal convictions or foreign offences).

We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre

Anyone suffering nuisance due to noise, smells or similar because of a commercial premises should contract the Worcestershire Hub  phone number 01684 862151

Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR)

Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU)

Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations (FLVA)