Opening a pub involves more licences and registrations than almost any other small business. Miss one and your opening date slips; miss the wrong one and you’re trading illegally. This is the full checklist in the order you should tackle it.
The licensing checklist, in order
1. Personal licence (allow 2–4 weeks)
You — or whoever will be your Designated Premises Supervisor — needs a personal licence first, because the premises licence application names the DPS. Pass the Level 2 APLH online, get a basic DBS check, and apply to the council where you live. Step-by-step guide here.
2. Premises licence (allow 6–8 weeks)
The big one: authorises alcohol sales, late-night refreshment and regulated entertainment at the site. It runs through a 28-day public consultation with police, environmental health and neighbours able to object. Get the operating schedule right first time — this is where our application service earns its fee. Taking over an existing pub? A transfer is faster and cheaper than a new application — see our transfer guide.
3. Planning permission
Check the property’s use class allows a pub and that your intended hours match any planning conditions — planning and licensing are separate regimes and one does not override the other. Councils can and do grant a 2am licence for premises whose planning consent says 11pm; the earlier of the two binds you.
4. Food business registration
Free, with your council, at least 28 days before opening — covers everything from bar snacks to a full kitchen. Your food hygiene rating depends on it.
5. The supporting cast
- Gaming machine notification or permit (category C/D machines).
- TV licence and music: PPL PRS “TheMusicLicence” for recorded/live music; live music is largely deregulated to 11pm under 500 capacity but check conditions.
- Pavement licence for outside tables (council, separate fee).
- Employer’s liability insurance, premises insurance, PAT/gas/electrical certificates.
- AWRS check on every alcohol wholesaler you buy from — buying from an unregistered wholesaler is an offence.
Budget summary
- Personal licence route: ~£170 all in.
- Premises licence: £100–£635 council fee by rateable value + ~£300 newspaper advert + professional fees.
- Annual premises fee thereafter: £70–£350.
- Everything else (music licence, gaming permits, insurances) varies with size — budget £1,000+ annually.
Frequently asked questions
Can I open before the premises licence is granted?
You can open the doors — you just can’t sell alcohol, provide late-night refreshment or regulated entertainment. Most operators wait: a pub without beer is a poor launch.
I’m buying a pub that already has a licence. Do I start again?
No — apply to transfer the existing licence (£23) and vary the DPS to you (£23). Both can be done with immediate effect if the outgoing holder consents.
Do all my bar staff need personal licences?
No. Every sale must be authorised by a personal licence holder, but one DPS plus documented authorisation covers a whole team. A second licence holder is smart cover for holidays.
Ready to start? Qualify with the online APLH this week and let us handle the premises licence in parallel — the two workstreams stack, saving you a month.
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