Licences

[PatriciaH]

I am a member of a club it is called **** ******** club LTD and when we want an extension on the licencing hours weve had to apply for it ,for partys etc.with this new law do we still have to apply for this with it being a LTD club?

thanks trish

[dzug]

The safest way to find out would be to read your new licence that comes into effect tomorrow.

If it's unclear or hasn't arrived yet then call your local council that issued it.

I believe music and dancing are a separate issue to sale of alcohol so you might want to check that out too. Not sure there's been any change there.

[Buenchico]

(Posted in 2 parts):

Your question seems to omit some information. For example, prior to the new legislation, were you selling alcohol under a proper 'licence' or under a 'club registration certificate'? Either way you should have returned a form to your local authority by 6th August. The form would have been either an application for a new licence or for a 'club premises certificate', as appropriate. The information you supplied on the form should have stated whether you were seeking any variation to the current hours during which you are permitted to sell alcohol. If you didn't apply for any variation then your club will be bound by the same rules as applied previously.

The new law doesn't really expect licensees (or club secretaries) to apply for extensions; you might, therefore, have difficulty in obtaining one. The idea is that licensees (or club committees) should apply for a licence (or club premises certificate) which covers all of the hours during which they anticipate that they will wish to sell alcohol. (e.g. if your club committee expect that they will wish to sell alcohol up until 1.00a.m. on some Friday and Saturday nights, they should apply for permission to sell alcohol up until 1.00a.m. every Friday and Saturday. Of course, this doesn't force them to keep the bar open until this time when there's no special event on).

[Buenchico]

(2nd Part):

It's also worth mentioning that the new licences/certificates encompass far more than just the sale of alcohol. 'Regulated entertainment' is now included within the provisions of the licence or certificate so that, for example, you can't have a karaoke evening unless this is specifically permitted within the terms of the licence or certificate.

There are also some strange little quirks in the system. For example, the same general licensing system which is used for pubs and clubs is now also used for food outlets which serve hot food or drink after 11.00p.m. This means that, theoretically, your club can't serve a cup of coffee (unless it's iced coffee!) after 11.00p.m. unless your licence or certificate specifically permits the sale!

The Manchester City Council website has some useful information about club premises certificates:
http://www.manchester.gov.uk/licensing/act/guidance/club .htm

One last point: If, for any reason, your club committee did not submit the relevant paperwork by 6th August, your licence or registration certificate has now expired. The sale of alcohol on the club premises will be strictly illegal until such time as the relevant application has been submitted and processed. As this would have to be treated as a new application (rather than as a continuation of existing arrangements) you should allow at least two months for the handling of the relevant administrative processes.

Chris