Guide for applicants

The application has to be on a prescribed application form:

New Premises Licence:

• Online Form
• Postal Form

Vary an existing Premises Licence:

• Online Form
• Postal Form

The application is to be accompanied by the Specified Fee based on the non-domestic rateable value of the premises.

• www.gov.uk/government/publications/alcohol-licensing-fee-levels
• www.gov.uk/correct-your-business-rates

A Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) has to be nominated if alcohol is to be sold. This individual must be a personal licence holder. An additional form has to be supplied showing the consent of the proposed DPS.

Describe the steps you intend to take to promote the four licensing objectives:
The operating schedule should explain how you propose to operate the business and promote the four licensing objectives.

You should be aware that what you write in your operating schedule will be used to produce conditions that will be attached to your licence. So, you should make sure that the steps you are suggesting are realistic and within your control. If a licence is granted with conditions attached requiring the implementation of such steps, the conditions will be enforceable in law and it will be a criminal offence to fail to comply with them.

Before completing your operating schedule you are strongly advised to read our Statement of Licensing Policy, which gives guidance on our policies and expectations.

The application shall include a plan of the premises which must be clear and legible in all material respects. However, standard scale (1:100) is preferred to avoid any doubt.
The plan shall show:

• The extent of the boundary of the building, if relevant, and any external and internal walls of the building and, if different, the perimeter of the premises.
• The location of points of access to and egress from the premises.
• The location of escape routes from the premises if different to above.
• In a case where the premises are used for more than one licensable activity, the area within the premises used for each activity.
• Fixed structures (including furniture) or similar objects temporarily in a fixed location (but not furniture) which may impact on the ability of individuals on the premises to use exits or escape routes without impediment.
• In a case where the premises include a stage or raised area, the location and height of each stage or area relative to the floor.
• In a case where the premises include any steps, stairs, elevators or lifts, the location of the steps, stairs, elevators or lifts.
• In a case where the premises include any room or rooms containing public conveniences, the location of the room or rooms.
• The location and type of any fire safety and any other safety equipment.
• The location of a kitchen, if any, on the premises.

The plan may include a legend through which the matters mentioned or referred to above are sufficiently illustrated by the use of symbols on the plan.

A copy of the application and a copy of all documents included with it and plans have to be sent to each of the “responsible authorities” (these are listed on our website). The copies have to be sent at the same time as the application is made. This is only if the application is submitted as a hard copy.

If the application is submitted online, the local authority will circulate the application to the “responsible authorities” on your behalf.

Advert in Newspaper

The applicant must advertise the licensable activities proposed in a local newspaper:

• Surrey Mirror or Surrey Mirror Online for the whole district, other Newspapers.
• Tandridge Independent for the whole district.
• East Grinstead Courier & Observer for Lingfield, Dormansland, Felbridge and Copthorne.

The advertisement must appear at least once during the ten working days following the making of the application and include the details listed below. Proof of the advert should be emailed to licensing@tandridge.gov.uk.

Pale Blue Notice

The applicant must also prominently display a notice including the details listed below on the premises for a period of 28 consecutive days starting on the day after the application is submitted:

• The notice must be at least A4 size and of pale blue colour.
• The notice must be printed legibly in black ink or typed in black in a font size equal to or larger than 16.
• The notice must be capable of being conveniently read from the exterior of the premises.
• If the premises exceed 50 metres square, then a further notice shall be displayed every 50 metres along the external perimeter of the premises abutting the highway.

The following details must be mentioned in the advertisement and the notice:

• The name of the applicant.
• The address of the premises.
• A statement of the relevant licensable activities which are proposed.
• The postal address and web address where the licensing authority register is kept and when the application may be inspected (in Tandridge this is Council Offices, 8 Station Road East, Oxted, Surrey RH8 0BT  www.tandridge.gov.uk Monday – Friday 09.00- 16.00)
• The date by which representations must be made to the authority. (28 consecutive days starting on the day after the date on which the application was given to the authority by the applicant).
• A statement that any representations must be in writing.
• A statement quoting “It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application and the maximum fine for which a person is liable on summary conviction for the offence is £5,000.”

If the blue notice or newspaper advert are not displayed within the designated period, this will extend the consultation period and delay the application process. If you are unsure what the last date for representations should be, please contact the Licensing Authority. 

Sample Blue Notice template.