The Licensing Act 2003 provides for fees to be payable to the Council in respect of the discharge of its functions. The fee levels are set centrally by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, at a level to allow licensing authorities full cost recovery for the administration, inspection and enforcement of the new regime.
Main Fee Levels
| Band | A | B | C | D | E |
| Non domestic rateable value | None to £4,300 | £4,301 to £33,000 | £33,001 to £87,000 | £87,001 to £125,000 | £125,001 plus |
| Premises licences* |
| New application & variation | £100 | £190 | £315 | £450 | £635 |
| Multiplier applied to premises used exclusively or primarily for the supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises (Bands D & E only) | N/A | N/A | N/A | X2 (£900) | X3 (£1905) |
| Annual charge * | £70 | £180 | £295 | £320 | £350 |
| Annual charge multiplier applied to premises used exclusively or primarily for the supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises (Bands D & E only) | N/A | N/A | N/A | X2 (£640) | X3 (£1050) |
| Club premises certificates |
| New application and variation | £100 | £190 | £315 | £450 | £635 |
| Annual Charge | £70 | £180 | £295 | £320 | £350 |
*There are additional fees for premises licence applications, and the annual fee for exceptionally large scale events (5,000+), unless certain conditions apply. Please read Regulation 4(4) and 4(5) of The Licensing Act 2003 (Fees) Regulations 2005 Additional fees:
| Number in attendance at any one time | Additional Premises licence fee | Additional annual fee payable if applicable |
| 5,000 to 9,999 | £1,000 | £500 |
| 10,000 to 14,999 | £2,000 | £1,000 |
| 15,000 to 19,999 | £4,000 | £2,000 |
| 20,000 to 29,999 | £8,000 | £4,000 |
| 30,000 to 39,999 | £16,000 | £8,000 |
| 40,000 to 49,999 | £24,000 | £12,000 |
| 50,000 to 59,999 | £32,000 | £16,000 |
| 60,000 to 69,999 | £40,000 | £20,000 |
| 70,000 to 79,999 | £48,000 | £24,000 |
| 80,000 to 89,999 | £56,000 | £28,000 |
| 90,000 and over | £64,000 | £32,000 |
Other fees
The Council will also be able to charge other fees in relation to its duties, most notably for temporary events and personal licences.
| Application for the grant or renewal of a personal licence | £37 |
| Temporary event notice | £21 |
| Theft, loss, etc.of premises licence or summary | £10.50 |
| Application for a provisional statement where premises being built etc. | £315.00 |
| Notification of change of name or address | £10.50 |
| Application to vary licence to specify individual as premises supervisor | £23 |
| Application for transfer of premises licence | £23 |
| Interim authority notice following death etc.of licence holder | £23 |
| Theft, loss etc.of certificate or summary | £10.50 |
| Notification of change of name or alteration of rules of club | £10.50 |
| Change of relevant registered address of club | £10.50 |
| Theft, loss etc.of temporary event notice | £10.50 |
| Theft, loss etc.of personal licence | £10.50 |
| Duty to notify change of name or address | £10.50 |
| Right of freeholder etc.to be notified of licensing matters | £21 |
Who sets the fees?
The fees were set centrally by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, following public consultation.
What is the fee for?
The fee is to fully recover the administration, inspection and enforcement costs of licensing authorities, which arise out of carrying out their licensing functions under the Act. This is to avoid any need for council tax payers to subsidise these costs.
How are premises allocated to fee bands?
The Government has used the non-domestic rateable value (NDRV) as the means of allocating premises to fee bands. NDRV is considered the fairest method of allocating fee bands because it:
- Appears fair in ensuring that larger premises pay more than smaller businesses
- Is an indicator of business size and turnover
- Takes into account the location of the business
- Reflects higher overheads falling on local authorities in certain areas
- Is reviewed regularly
Particular types of premises which do not have non-domestic rateable values are allocated to Band A.
New NDRVs for all premises come into force on 1st April 2005. You can check your current and new non-domestic rateable value at the Valuation Office Agency website.
Are there any exemptions to the payment of the fees?
There is an exemption from the payment of fees in relation to the provision of regulated entertainment at church halls, chapel halls or premises of a similar nature, village halls, parish or community halls, or other premises of a similar nature. The costs associated with these licences will be met by central Government. If, however, the licence also authorises the use of the premises for the supply of alcohol or the provision of late night refreshment, a fee will be required for those activities. Schools and sixth form colleges are also exempt from the fees associated with the authorisation of regulated entertainment where the entertainment is provided by and at the school or college and for the purposes of the school or college.
When does the 'additional' premises licence fee apply?
The Government believes that fee levels need to take account of exceptionally large events where over 5,000 people attend at any time, and which give rise to exceptional considerations and licensing authority costs. Such events might include major festivals and other events, which often involve the building of substantial temporary structures. In such circumstances, it may be appropriate for an extra fee to be charged, in addition to the standard application and variation fee.
The full details of where the additional fee is applicable can be found in Regulation 4(5) of the The Licensing Act 2003 (Fees) Regulations 2005. If an applicant is unsure about whether the additional fee will apply, they should seek legal advice or consult the Licensing Team.
What premises pay the multiplier charge?
The multiplier charge is applied to premises in bands D and E, used exclusively or primarily for the supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises, when applying for the grant or variation of a premises licence, The multiplier charge does not apply to club premises certificates.
Does it cost more for a premises licence to be authorised for the provision of regulated entertainment or late night refreshment as well as the sale or supply of alcohol?
No. The fee for a premises licence or club premises certificate is the same regardless of whether you apply at the same time for it to authorise one, two or all of the licensable activities.
What about the fees for giving temporary event notices?
Temporary event notices (TENs) replace the previous system of occasional permissions and licences, with TENs costing £21 per event.
What about fees for variations and other notices etc?
Fees for variations (excluding changes of name and address etc or changes of designated premises supervisor) will be between £100 and £635, depending on the rateable value band.
When will I have to pay the annual fee?
The annual fee for premises licences and club premises certificates will become due and payable each year on the anniversary of the date of the grant of the licence or certificate. If you are unsure about when your annual fee is due, you should contact The Licensing Team to check.
Can I pay the annual fee in instalments?
No. The fee will be payable in full at the time of application and when the annual fee is due.
Will the fees stay the same forever?
Not necessarily. The Secretary of State can alter fee levels at any time by means of amending regulations.
