If you want to make changes to an existing premises licence, you will need to apply for a variation. There are two types of variation, Major or Minor.
Premises Licence Variation (Major Variation)
Changes to a licence that would need to be made under a Major Variation include:
- Extending licensing hours for the sale or supply of alcohol at any time between 11pm and 7am.
- Significantly changing the layout of the premises or adding areas that are permitted for the sale or supply of alcohol.
- Increasing the amount of time on any day that alcohol can be sold by retail or supplied.
- Making changes to the hours in which a licensable activity is permitted.
- Amending adding or removing conditions from a licence.
If you are applying for small changes to the structure or layout, decreasing or only slightly amending the licensed hours or removing out of date or volunteered conditions, you would need to apply for a Minor Variation, at the bottom of this page.
An application for a Major Variation follows a similar procedure to a new premises licence application.
As with a new application, you will need to pay the relevant premises application fee along with your major variation application. This is based on the rateable value of your premises.
You can apply and pay online here:
Apply online for a Major Variation to a premises licence
You can also apply via gov.uk at Apply online at Gov.uk to vary a premises licence
If you cannot apply online for any reason, download and complete a premises licence variation form and post to Licensing, Town Hall, Bexhill, TN39 3JX. Please provide contact details on your form for us to collect payment.
If you are not applying online you must also submit your application to the relevant authorities.
- If you are making significant changes to the layout of the premises or the areas that you are selling alcohol from you will need to provide an updated plan.
- If the variation application is to add the sale of alcohol you will need to nominate a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) and complete a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) Consent form .
- You will be required to advertise your application as a public notice and an advert in a local newspaper. For more information on how to do this please visit our Advertising Applications page.
After you have applied
Representations
As with a new application the Licensing Authority must grant the variation application unless “relevant” representations (ie representations that were not deemed frivolous or vexatious) against the grant of the licence have been received.
You will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the Local Authority by the end of the target completion period. For Wealden District Council this is 30 calendar days from receipt of the application.
A Hearing must be held where “relevant” representations are made in respect of the application.
If a Hearing is held the Licence can be granted; or granted subject to additional conditions. Licensable activities listed in the application can be excluded or the application can be rejected.
The Licensing Authority will serve a notice of its decision on the applicant, any person who has made “relevant” representations and the Chief Officer of Police.
Regulation summary
Applicants are encouraged to consider the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy and HM Government’s Guidance published under section 182 of the act when preparing their operating schedule and the steps they propose to take to promote the licensing objectives. You can see a Summary of the Licensing Act 2003 at the gov.uk website.
Premises Licence Variation (Minor Variation)
If you want to make any of the following changes you will need a Minor Variation:
- Small changes to the structure or layout of a premises.
- The addition of authorisation for late night refreshment or regulated entertainment (such as performance of plays or film exhibitions).
- Reducing the hours you sell alcohol.
- Minor revisions, removals and additions of conditions (this could include the removal or amendment of out of date, irrelevant or unenforceable conditions, or the addition of volunteered conditions).
A Minor Variation costs £89
You can apply and pay online here:
Apply online for a Minor Variation to a Premises Licence
You can also apply via gov.uk at Apply online at gov.uk for a minor variation to a Premises Licence
If you cannot apply online for any reason, download and complete a Minor Variation application form and post to Licensing, Town Hall, Bexhill, TN39 3JX. Please provide contact details on your form for us to collect payment.
Depending on what your Minor Variation application is for you may also need to provide an updated plan of the premises.
We may send the application to the police or fire service for representations.
You cannot use a minor variation application to:
- Extend licensing hours.
- Disapply mandatory conditions.
- Substantially change a premises licence.
If you need to do any of the above then you will need to apply for a Major Variation at the top of this page.
We cannot assist with the completion of applications and advise anyone having problems with applying to instruct the services of a solicitor or Licensing Agent.