Apply for Premises Licences

Premises Licences

A premises licence applies to permanent premises, but can also include one-off events where more than 499 people will be present at any one time. A premises licence authorises any of the following activities:

  • plays 
  • films
  • indoor sporting events
  • boxing and wrestling   
  • live music (subject to exemptions under the Live Music Act 2012, to view the information on GOV.UK)
  • recorded music 
  • performances of dance  
  • provision of late night refreshment
  • sale of hot drinks and food between 11.00pm and 5.00am  
  • supply of alcohol.

The licence is valid permanently unless it is surrendered, lapses, revoked or if the licence holder requests the licence to finish on a specific date.

If it includes the sale of alcohol, there must be a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) who must hold a personal licence in order to supply or authorise the sale of alcohol.

How to apply for a Premises Licence

The application for a Premises Licence must include:

  • a completed Premises Licence form
  • a fee paid at the time an application is made. Call 01983 823159 to make a payment.

View the fees for premises licenses (PDF, 46KB, 3 pages).

Club Premises Certificates

Clubs are organisations where members have joined together for particular social, sporting or political purposes and combined to buy alcohol in bulk for its members. There are technically no sales of alcohol by retail by the club at such premises except to guests making a purchase. Clubs with a Club Premises Certificate are not required to have a DPS to authorise the sale of alcohol.

Apply for a Club Premises Certificate

You must read the guidance notes provided in the form before you complete and submit.

Full Variation

A full variation application is necessary where an existing premises wishes to make changes to certain licensable activities, the operating schedule, conditions and/or substantially change the physical structure of the premises.

Apply for a Full Variation

You must read the guidance notes provided in the form before you complete and submit.

Minor Variations

A minor variation application is possible where certain changes are to be made to licensable activities, the operating schedule, conditions and/or change slightly the physical structure or layout of the premises.

Contact Licensing for advice if you're unsure whether to submit a minor variation or full variation.

Premises Licence Variation of DPS

An application to vary the premises licence to specify an individual as the DPS is relevant when the DPS changes. The application must be submitted with a ‘consent of DPS’ form signed by the proposed DPS to give their permission to take on the role and responsibility of DPS.

Apply for a premises licence variation of DPS

The application for a Premises Licence Variation of DPS must include:

A scan or photo of the completed forms can be sent by email to licensing@iow.gov.uk

Or you can post a hard copy to: Licencing, Isle of Wight Council, County Hall, High Street, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 1UD

Transfer of Premises Licence Holder

An application to transfer an existing licence is applicable when the licence holder changes (such as the business changes ownership or a new manager is employed). It must be submitted with a ‘Consent to Transfer’ form signed by the previous licence holder to give permission to transfer the licence to the new owner.

Apply for a licence transfer

The application for a transfer of the existing Premises Licence of DPS must include:

A scan or photo of the completed forms can be sent by email to licensing@iow.gov.uk

Or you can post a hard copy to: Licencing, Isle of Wight Council, County Hall, High Street, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 1UD

View our guidance (PDF, 367KB, 20 pages)  if you need help. 

Interim Authority Notice

A Premises Licence lapses if the holder of the licence:

  • dies
  • becomes a person who lacks capacity to hold the licence
  • becomes insolvent or is dissolved.

In the case of a Club Premises Certificate, it will lapse if the club ceases to be a recognised club. A licence will also lapse if the holder ceases to be entitled to work in the United Kingdom.

The Premises Licence can be reinstated upon an application to transfer the licence if it is submitted no later than 28 days after the licence lapses or a person who has a prescribed interest in the premises or is connected to the licence can give Interim Authority Notice which allows activities to continue for up to three months whilst a transfer application can be arranged.

Apply for an Interim Authority Notice

The application for an Interim Authority Notice must include:

A scan or photo of the completed forms can be sent by email to licensing@iow.gov.uk

Or you can post a hard copy to: Licencing, Isle of Wight Council, County Hall, High Street, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 1UD

Public Register

We maintain public registers for all granted licences. You can view public register licences, consents, permits and registrations.