Designated premises supervisor

The responsibilities of a designated premises supervisor (DPS), how to change the nominated DPS.

If one of your licensable activities is the sale of alcohol, you must name a designated premises supervisor (DPS) on your premises licence.

The DPS:

  • is the person who has day-to-day responsibility of running the business
  • will be named on the premises licence and must hold a personal licence
  • is not necessarily the premises licence holder, although they may be 

The role of a DPS

The DPS will: 

  • act as primary contact for local government and the police 
  • understand the social issues and potential problems associated with the sale of alcohol 
  • have a good understanding of the business itself 
  • be involved enough with the business to be able to act as its representative 
  • be contactable at all times 

The DPS does not need to be on site at all times. 

You must be nominated by the premises licence holder for the role of DPS. For new businesses, this is done as part of applying for a premises licence. 

Change the nominated DPS

For businesses with an existing premises licence, where a DPS is already named, you can apply to change the name.

There is a £23 fee to change the DPS.

Start now

DPS authorisation

The DPS is required to authorise members of staff to sell alcohol when they are not on the premises. 

Printed and signed copies of the following authorisation forms must be kept at the premises at all times.