Personal licence to sell alcohol

You or a member of your staff must hold a personal licence if you sell alcohol from licensed premises, so that every sale or supply of alcohol is authorised by a Personal Licence holder.

If you sell or supply alcohol or supervise the selling or supplying of alcohol you will require a Personal Licence.

You don't need a personal licence to be employed in a pub or business that sells alcohol.

Premises licensed to sell alcohol must have a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS), who holds a personal licence. Anyone who does not hold a Personal Licence must be authorised to sell alcohol by a Personal Licence holder.

There is no such requirement for the supply of alcohol in a members’ club.

The only exception is a community premises that has successfully applied to dis-apply the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) requirement under section 41D of the Licensing Act 2003.

You must be over 18 years old and hold a licensing qualification – for example, the Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH) Level 2.

The aim of the qualification is to ensure that licence holders are aware of licensing law and the wider social responsibilities involved in the sale of alcohol.

We'll need to know of any relevant criminal convictions, and these may impact whether or not you're found to be suitable as a licensee. You'll also need to provide a basic criminal conviction disclosure form.

• View the regulation summary of the eligibility criteria for this licence on GOV.UK

To apply for a licence you need to:

1. Download and complete the Personal Licence application form.
2. The following supporting items must also be included in your application:
   • Declaration of Convictions Form.
   • 2 endorsed passport-sized photographs.
   • Original (or certified copy) of your licensing qualification certificate.
   • Original Basic Disclosure Certificate from the Disclosure Barring Service (DBS). You must include this certificate with your application and it must be within 28 days of the date printed on the certificate.
3. Email your completed application form and supporting items to the Licensing Unit using the contact information on this page.

We'll aim to respond to your enquiry within 5 working days of receipt of your email.

If your application is complete and valid, we'll contact you to pay the licence fee within the timeframe allowed under the legislation.

If your application is not complete or valid, we'll contact you about any outstanding requirements. Your application process will not start until we take payment.

Download the personal licence application form at GOV.UK

Find out how we use your personal information in our privacy notice.

An application for a personal licence costs £37.

Your application must also include supporting items which you may have to pay for, if you've not got them already.

If your application for a personal licence is declined, please contact us in the first instance using the contact details on this page.

If you disagree with the licensing committee's decision, you can appeal to your local magistrates' court. You must do this within 21 days.

• Find your local magistrates' court on GOV.UK

You could be fined up to £20,000 and sent to prison for up to 6 months if you sell alcohol without yourself or a member of your staff having a personal licence.

Contact the team