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Club premises certificate

Clubs are treated differently to commercial businesses for licensing purposes, particularly when it comes to sale or supply of alcohol. This is under the Licensing Act 2003.

Certain clubs, such as working men's clubs, social clubs, sporting clubs, political clubs etc, are generally organisations where members join together for a particular social, sporting or political purpose. They pool funds to buy alcohol in bulk by and for its members.

Public access to the activities at a recognised club is restricted and the alcohol is supplied other than for profit. This gives rise to different licensing issues and affords clubs special treatment outside the normal premises licence arrangements.

What is a qualifying club?

We determine what is a qualifying club based on a declaration submitted before application, and a copy of the club rules. You can download and submit your declaration and supporting documents through the Gov.UK website.

Submit a declaration

A number of conditions must be met for a club to qualify:

  • there must be an interval of at least two days between a member's nomination or application for membership and his admission to the club
  • the club must be established and conducted in good faith as a club (this involves consideration of details such as club finances and alcohol purchase procedure)
  • there must be at least 25 members
  • alcohol is supplied to members on the premises on behalf of the club
  • the purchase and supply of alcohol is managed by a committee of elected members aged over 18 years
  • no individual may receive a commission or similar payment at the expense of the club with reference to the club's alcohol purchases
  • no individual may receive financial benefit from the supply of alcohol to members or guests apart from to benefit the club as a whole.

Qualifying clubs do not need to appoint a designated premises supervisor.

How to apply

You can apply for a certificate by downloading the form from the Gov.UK website, completing it and uploading with the relevant supporting documentation and payment.

You can pay with a debit or credit card.

Apply for a certificate

Changes to your club rules

If your club rules change you will need to let us know. You can do this through the Gov.UK website. You can pay using a debit or credit card.

Tell us about changes

Variation to a club premises certificate

If you need to vary the details or conditions on your existing certificate you can do this through the Government website. You can pay using a debit or credit card.

Vary a certificate

Renew a club premises certificate

If you want to renew your certificate and pay your annual fee you can do this through Gov.UK website. You can pay using a debit or credit card.

Renew a certificate

Pay a club premises certificate annual fee

If you want to pay your annual fee you can do this through the Gov.UK website. You can pay using a debit or credit card. Please quote your invoice number when making payment.

Pay an annual fee

How much does it cost?

The cost of a premises licence is set nationally and is based on the premises non-domestic rateable value. There is an initial fee for the licence, and then an annual fee to keep the licence in place.

Non-domestic rateable value None - £4300 £4301 – £33000 £33001 – £87000 £87001 – £125000 £125001 +
New premises or club premises certificate applications and variations £100 £190 £315 £450 £635
Multiplier applied to premises used exclusively or primarily for the supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises - - - £900 £1905
Annual fee £70 £180 £295 £320 £350
Annual fee multiplier applied to premises used exclusively or primarily for the supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises - - - £640 £1050

For premises licences there is an additional fee and an extra annual fee where large events with a capacity over 5000 people.

Pay for licences

Additional costs

There may be additional costs to vary or transfer a licence.

  • provisional statement - £315
  • minor variation to licence - £89
  • change to designated premises supervisor - £23
  • interim authority (due to incapacity, death etc) - £23
  • transfer of premises or club premises licence - £23
  • notification of interest (freeholder) - £21
  • replacement copy of existing licence - £10.50.

Other ways to contact us about a club premises certificate

If you have questions about the licence or applying you can contact us by: