PLH Online Homepage

UK Licensing Laws

 

At a glance UK licensing laws can appear confusing and complicated but this needn't be the case.

Although slight variations in legislation apply to England, Wales and Scotland, the crux of alcohol licensing remains the same - to restrict the sale of alcohol so only licensed premises who confirm to such legislation can sell it.

The Licensing Act 2003 (which applies to England and Wales) and 2005 (which applies to Scotland) also requires the owner or manager within a licensed premises to hold a 'personal licence'.

The purpose of alcohol licensing can be broken down further by region and lists of objectives.

 

The licensing objectives of England & Wales are:

 

  1. The prevention of crime and disorder

  2. Public safety

  3. The prevention of public nuisance

  4. The protection of children from harm

 

The licensing objectives of Scotland are:

 

  1. Preventing crime and disorder

  2. Securing public safety

  3. Preventing public nuisance

  4. Protecting and improving public health

  5. Protecting children from harm

 

Alcohol Licensing for Restaurants and Bars

Restaurants and bars are some of the most likely places where you would expect to find members of management in possession of personal licences.

Candidates are required to sit an exam before they become certified licence holders, known as a APLH (Award for Personal Licence Holders) in England and Wales and a SCPLH (Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders) in Scotland

The course covers a number of topics with the main focus being the responsible selling of alcohol to further ensure that the aforementioned licensing objectives are maintained.