Club premises certificate

What is a club premises certificate?

A club premises certificate authorises qualifying clubs to use club premises for qualifying club activities. A single licence covers all activities.

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Do I need a club premises certificate?

You will need a club premises certificate if you intend to provide any qualifying club activity.

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Do I need a designated premises supervisor?

No - you are not required to specify a designated premises supervisor. You are also permitted to supply alcohol to members and sell it to guests on the premises without the need for any member or employee to hold a personal licence.

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How do I apply for a club premises certificate?

Submit your application to the licensing authority (council) where your premises is situated.

Your application needs to be accompanied by the following:

The Department of Culture, Media and Sport provide guidance for applicants wishing to make a club premises certificate application.

You are required to give a copy of your application, along with the above documentation, to all responsible authorities in the area in which the premises is situated on the same day as the application is given to the licensing authority.

You must also advertise your application:

  • on a poster, displayed at the premises, for 28 consecutive days starting on the day after the application has been given to the council;
  • in a local newspaper at least once during the ten working days after your application has been given to the council.

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Who can object to the grant of my certificate?

Once the council is in receipt of your correctly made application, the responsible authorities have 28 days in which they are entitled to make representation to your application.

Any interested party wishing to make representation has 28 days to do so starting on the day after your application has been given to the council, i.e. the day you advertise your application.

Responsible authorities and interested parties are entitled to apply to the council for a review of an existing club premises certificate.

All representations must be based on the four licensing objectives.

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What happens if my application receives a representation/objection?

If there is an objection, a hearing of the licensing committee (which consists of ten elected local authority members) must be held within 20 days unless all parties agree that a formal hearing is unnecessary.

The licensing committee will consider representations with regard to the licensing objectives and may, on this basis, decide to grant, reject or alter the terms or conditions of the certificate.

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What can I do if my application is refused?

If, following a hearing, your application is refused you have the right to appeal to the Magistrate´s Court against the council´s decision within 21 days of being notified of the decision and the grounds for it.

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What obligations do I have when my certificate is granted?

Once you are a club premises certificate holder you must:

  • keep the certificate (or a certified copy) on the premises at all times;
  • produce your certificate (or a certified copy) to any police constable or person authorised by the council;
  • prominently display, at the premises, Part B (the summary);
  • notify the council and apply for a copy if your certificate is lost, stolen or destroyed;
  • inform the council if you wish to surrender your certificate;
  • notify and apply to the council any variation you wish to make to your certificate (i.e. activities, conditions and any alteration to the premises);
  • notify the council of change of relevant registered address of the club;
  • pay an annual fee due on the anniversary of the grant date of your licence (cash can only be accepted if applying in person -- do not send cash through the post).

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What do I do if my certificate is lost or stolen?

You must inform your issuing licensing authority in writing as soon as possible. You must also include the fee for the reissue of your certificate.

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What do I do if I need to change the registered address of the club?

You must inform the issuing licensing authority in writing as soon as possible. You must also include the existing certificate and the relevant fee. 

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How do I vary my club premises certificate?

Submit your application to the licensing authority where your premises is situated.

Your application needs to be accompanied by the following:

  • the current club premises certificate;
  • the required fee (cash can only be accepted if applying in person -- do not send cash through the post);
  • an operating schedule.

You are required to give a copy of your application, along with the above documentation, to all responsible authorities in the area in which the premises is situated on the same day as the application is given to the licensing authority.

You must also advertise your application:

  • on a poster, displayed at the premises, for 28 consecutive days starting on the day after the application has been given to the council;
  • in a local newspaper at least once during the ten working days after your application has been given to the council.

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How long will I have to wait for the grant of my club premises certificate?

The licensing authority must determine new and variation applications within two months.

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How can I make a representation/object to an application?

If you are an interested party you are entitled to make comment on an application and make representations to the council within 28 days of the application being advertised.

Representations must be in writing and based on the four licensing objectives. You can use the interested party representation form.

A full copy of your objection (including your name and address) will be sent to the applicant and will be a public document at any hearing of the application in question.

If you are not prepared to allow your objection to be made public, it may be ruled inadmissible or carry less weight than an objection made public.

Responsible authorities and interested parties are entitled to apply to the council for a review of an existing licence.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport provide the following guidance notes for interested parties: