Review of premises licence or club premises certificate

A responsible authority ​or any other person can apply to the licensing authority for a review of a premises licence or club premises certificate where there are problems associated with crime and disorder, public safety, public nuisance or the protection of children from harm.

In every case, the review must relate to the premises for which the licence or certificate is in force and must not be frivolous, vexatious or repetitious.

Generally, more than one review originating from an individual should not be permitted within a period of twelve months on similar grounds save in compelling circumstances, for example where new problems have arisen. This exclusion does not apply to reviews made by responsible authorities.

​A summary of the regulations relating to club premises certificates are available on the government's Home Office website. View the Home Office summary.

Applications must be in a specific format and must be made in writing, clearly setting out the grounds for review based on one or more of the licensing objectives.

It is the responsibility of the applicant for a review to give one copy of the application and any supporting documentation to the holder of the premises licence for which the review relates, and to each of the responsible authorities on the same day upon which the application is served on the licensing authority.

The Licensing Authority will make arrangements for the prominent display of a notice at, on or near the site of the premises.

​Irrespective of whether representations are received during the statutory consultation period, the licensing authority must hold a hearing to determine a review application. At the hearing, the licensing authority can take any one or more of the following steps if it considers it appropriate for the promotion of the licensing objectives:

• modify or add conditions to the licence
• exclude a licensable activity from the licence
• remove the designated premises supervisor
• suspend the licence for a period not exceeding three months
• revoke the licence

The licensing authority may decide that none of the above steps are appropriate for the promotion of the licensing objectives.

The licensing authority will serve a notice of its decision on the applicant, the licence or certificate holder, any person who has made relevant representations and the Chief of Police.

Processing timelines

Licence/certificate holder

If a licence or certificate holder is not satisfied with the decision of the licensing authority after a public hearing, that person can appeal. An appeal may relate to the decision to modify or attach conditions to a licence, a decision to exclude an activity or person as premises supervisor, a decision to suspend or revoke the licence. Appeals are made to the City of London Magistrates Court, 1 Queen Victoria Street, London EC4N 4XY, within 21 days of receiving notification of the decision.

Applicant for review/responsible authority/any other person

An applicant for a review of licence or certificate, a responsible authority or any other person who has made a relevant representation to a review application can appeal the decision of the licensing authority after a public hearing if they are not satisfied with that decision. An appeal may relate to the decision to take no action, a decision to modify or attach conditions to a licence, a decision to exclude an activity or person as premises supervisor, a decision to suspend or revoke the licence. Appeals are made to the City of London Magistrates Court, 1 Queen Victoria Street, London EC4N 4XY, within 21 days of receiving notification of the decision​.