Alcohol and entertainment licences

A premises licence is needed for:

• pubs and nightclubs
• restaurants/cafes that serve alcohol and/or hot food and drink after 11pm
• takeaways/mobile food vans selling hot food and drink after 11pm
• hotels, guest houses and holiday parks that sell alcohol
• private members clubs and social clubs
• cinemas and theatres
• off licences
• indoor sporting events
• certain musical entertainment including live or recorded music and dancing

Application

Please read our guidance before completing the application form. You may also wish to read our Licensing policy in addition to the guidance provided.

Apply for a premises licence

Make sure you:

• list all the activities that you wish to provide at a premises
• provide a detailed description explaining how you intend to uphold the four licensing objectives in Section M
• complete a consent form if the sale of alcohol is required; the person to be appointed as the Designated Premises Supervisor should complete the form
• advertise the application by submitting a public notice (Word doc, 17 KB) in a local newspaper and displaying the notice at the premise

Payment

You can pay the fee via our Pay online page, following these steps:

1. Select Other Payments.
2. Select Licensing - Premises.
3. Select the appropriate option from the dropdown menu.

Fees

The fees are determined by the Licensing Act - how much you pay depends on the rateable value of your premises. You can find the rateable value via GOV.UK Find a business rates valuation (opens new window).

Additional fees apply for events over 5,000 people - contact the Licensing Team for advice before you apply.

How long will my application take?

All applications have to go through a 28 day consultation period. Responsible authorities (such as Environmental Health and the Police) and other parties (eg local residents, councillors) can submit a representation objecting to, or in support of, the application.

If we haven't received any representations, we can issue your licence.

If we receive representations, we will refer your application to a Licensing Sub-Committee which will decide whether to approve your application. A meeting will be held within 20 working days of the closing date for representations. You will be invited to attend this meeting.

Do I have to do anything during the consultation period?

You must ensure that you:

• display a completed blue notice in a prominent position at your premises, for the full 28 day consultation period, specifying the licensable activities and timings you applied for and specifying the closing date for representations
• arrange for the same notice to be published in a local newspaper - the notice must be published within 10 working days of submitting the premises licence application.
• tell us which newspaper the notice is appearing in and send us a copy

What happens when my application is approved?

We will send your licence to you - it will list the approved activities and times plus any conditions imposed on it by the Licensing Committee or your operating schedule.

If you wish to change your specified activities or times you must apply for a variation. 

Your licence will last indefinitely unless it lapses, is surrendered, suspended or revoked.

An annual fee is payable each year on the anniversary of the grant of the premises licence. The amount of the fee payable is based on the rateable value of the premises. An reminder letter will be issued the month before the fee is due. If the annual fee is not paid, a premises licence can be suspended by the Licensing Authority. 

How do I make changes to my Premises or Club Licence?

If you are planning to make substantial changes (including changing the times you wish to sell alcohol) you must apply for a full variation.

Apply to vary a premises licence

See also: guidance on a variation of premises licence.

Apply to vary a club premises certificate

The full variation follows the same process and has the same fees as a new premises licence application.

Minor variations

If your changes are less substantial you can use the Minor Variation Process - this is cheaper, easier and quicker than the full variation process.

Apply for a minor variation  

To apply you must:

1. Complete an application form and pay the fee of £89.00.
2. Display the White Notice at your premises for a minimum of 10 working days.

We will review your application. If we are concerned that the changes will impact on the licensing objectives we will consult with relevant responsible authorities for advice.

We will take any advice or objections into account when we make our decision (minor variations are not referred to the Licensing Committee).

If we refuse your application for minor changes, you can apply for a full variation.

Contact the Licensing Team for advice if you are not sure which process to use.

How do I take over an existing premises licence?

You should:

• make sure the premises licence annual fee has been paid otherwise the licence is likely to be suspended
• ask the current licence holder to sign a transfer consent form agreeing to transfer the premises licence to you
• send the consent form and completed transfer application form to the Licensing Team, copies must also be sent to the police and Home Office
• provide a Right to Work document or code (see notes on transfer application form) for individual applicants
• read our Guidance on how to apply to transfer a premises licence for further information

You can choose for the transfer to take place with immediate effect or to specify a date for the transfer. The fee is £23.

The police have 14 days to consider your application - if they have no objections, we will transfer the licence to you.

Will I need a licence to play live music at my premises?

You don't need a licence to stage an amplified live music performance if:

• it takes place between 8am and 11pm
• it takes place at a licensed premises or workplace
• the audience is no more than 500 people

You don't need a licence to put on unamplified live music at any place between the same hours.

You can find more information on the Live Music Act 2012 on GOV.UK (opens new window).

We strongly advise that you exercise common sense when arranging live music as complaints about excessive noise could result in conditions being attached to your Premises/Club Licence.

How do I get a personal licence?

To apply you must:

• be 18 years or over
• have successfully completed an accredited level 2 award for Personal Licence Holders
• received a certificate to show you have completed a Basic Disclosure (criminal record check) through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) - this must be dated within 30 days of your Personal Licence Application

You must complete the Application for a personal licence form and send it to us, together with:

• two passport photos using the Photographs for a personal licence form - one photo must be endorsed by a 'person of standing'  (eg teacher, solicitor, government officer) 
• a completed Disclosure of convictions and civil immigration penalties and declaration  form; refer to the list of relevant offences
• your Basic Disclosure
• your licensing qualification
• a document showing a proof of right to work in the UK (see below)

The fee for a personal licence is £37.

The licensing qualification can be obtained by contacting one of the course providers.

Applicants must demonstrate that they have a right to work in the UK and are not subject to a condition preventing them from doing work relating to carrying on a licensing activity. They do this by providing with the application, copies of the required documents listed with the application form. Please see the guidance notes for further information on the right to work check and the personal licence process.

How do I become a Designated Premises Supervisor?

Once you have your Personal Licence you are eligible to become the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) for a licensed premises.

You must sign a consent form agreeing to be the person responsible for the premises - the licence holder must submit this consent form with their:

• Premises Licence Application (for new Premises Licence applications)
• Application to vary a premises licence to specify an individual as designated premises supervisor under the Licensing Act 2003 (for existing Premises Licence holders to replace a DPS who is leaving their employment). The fee to vary a DPS is £23.00. The existing DPS should be notified of the new application, it is not necessary to provide them with a copy of the application form.

Once you become a DPS you must:

• tell the Council that issued your Personal Licence if you change your name or move home to keep your Personal Licence up to date
• tell the premises licence holder as they will need to update their Premises Licence

If you wish to be removed as the DPS for a premises with immediate effect you must serve a letter on the Council stating this. You must also:

• serve a copy of this letter on the premises licence holder and the Police within 48 hours and
• ask the licence holder to return their Premises Licence to us so we can update it

What licensing applications are currently open for representation?

Details of applications for a new premises licence, to vary a premises licence and review applications, received under the Licensing Act 2003, are listed in the table below.

Applications are subject to a 28-day consultation period. Please read the Guide to making a representation: Licensing Act 2003 information to help ensure your representation is relevant.

If a representation is to be submitted, either supporting or objecting to an application, it is advisable (where possible) to email the licensing application representation to [email protected]. 

You can request to view a full application by email to [email protected] for any of those listed in the table below.

What premises are currently licensed?

We are currently unable to provide an online licensing register. 

Please contact [email protected] if you require further information.

What is the Council's Licensing Policy?

Under the Licensing Act 2003, the Licensing Authority must produce a Statement of Licensing Policy every 5 years. The statement of Licensing Policy sets out how the Licensing Authority will carry out its functions under the Act and how it will promote the four Licensing Objectives.

The four objectives are:

• prevention of crime and disorder
• prevention of public nuisance
• public safety
• protection of children from harm

The current Licensing Policy came into force on 7 January 2026.

Who are the Responsible Authorities?

There are nine responsible authorities in relation to the Licensing Act 2003. 

The Licensing Team
Great Yarmouth Borough Council
Town Hall
Great Yarmouth
NR30 2QF
Telephone: 01493 846530
Email: [email protected]

The Fire Authority:
Group Manager
Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service
Fire Station
Friars Lane
Great Yarmouth
NR30 2RP
Telephone: 01493 339901
Email: [email protected]

Environmental Health:
Environmental Services
Great Yarmouth Borough Council
Town Hall
Great Yarmouth
NR30 2QF
Telephone: 01493 846478
Email: [email protected]

Child Protection:
Norfolk Safeguarding Children Partnership
County Hall
Martineau Lane
Norwich
NR1 2DL 
Telephone: 01603 223409 
Email: [email protected]

Home Office:
IE Licensing Compliance Team
2 Ruskin Square (Floor 6)
Dingwall Road
Croydon
CR0 2WF
Email: [email protected] 

Norfolk Constabulary Licensing Team
Bethel Street Police Station
Bethel Street
Norwich
NR2 1NN
Telephone: 01603 276024
Email: [email protected]

Planning Authority:
Planning and Development
Great Yarmouth Borough Council
Town Hall
Great Yarmouth
NR30 2QF
Telephone: 01493 846430
Email: [email protected]

Trading Standards:
Legal Process Unit
Trading Standards
County Hall
Martineau Lane
Norwich
NR1 2UD
Telephone: 0844 800 8013
Email: [email protected]

Public Health:
Public Health Director
Norfolk County Council
County Hall
Martineau Lane
Norwich
NR1 2DH
Telephone: 01603 638378
Email: [email protected]