Do Restaurants Need an Alcohol Licence? The Complete Guide
Restaurant alcohol licensing explained: premises licence, DPS, staff authorisation, children's rules, BYOB and costs.
Category: Licensing Guides
Practical guides to personal licences, premises licensing and hospitality compliance in the UK.
Martyn’s Law Explained: Standard vs Enhanced Tier Duties for Venues
Martyn’s Law (the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025) puts new counter-terrorism duties on venues holding 200+ people. Here’s who falls into the standard and enhanced tiers, what each tier must do, and how to get compliant before enforcement begins.
How to Get a Personal Licence in England & Wales: Step-by-Step (2026)
Getting a personal licence takes five steps: qualify with the APLH Level 2 award, get a basic DBS check, gather your documents, apply to your local council and receive your licence. This guide walks through each step with realistic costs and timescales.
Personal Licence Cost Breakdown: Course, DBS Check and Council Fees
A personal licence has four unavoidable costs: the APLH course and exam, a basic DBS check (£21.50), the council application fee (£37) and photos. Here’s the full breakdown, the optional extras, and how to keep the total down.
How Long Does a Personal Licence Application Take?
From starting the course to holding the licence, most people take 2–4 weeks. Here’s the stage-by-stage timeline — course, exam, DBS check, council processing — and the practical ways to compress it when you’re starting a job.
Personal Licence Requirements: Eligibility, Convictions and Right to Work
To get a personal licence you must be 18+, hold the APLH qualification, have the right to work in the UK, and pass a criminal record check. Here’s exactly how convictions are assessed — and why a record doesn’t automatically rule you out.
Do Personal Licences Expire? Renewal Rules in England, Wales and Scotland
In England and Wales, personal licences stopped expiring in 2015 — no renewal needed, ever. In Scotland the licence lasts 10 years and you must pass refresher training every 5 years or lose it. Here are both sets of rules, and what you do still have to keep up to date.
How to Get a Personal Licence in Scotland (SCPLH) — and the 5-Year Refresher Deadline
Scotland has its own licensing regime: the SCPLH qualification, an application to your local Licensing Board, and a strict 5-year refresher deadline. Here’s the full process — and the deadline rule that catches out even experienced licence holders.
What Is a Designated Premises Supervisor? DPS Duties Explained
Every premises selling alcohol in England and Wales must name a Designated Premises Supervisor — a personal licence holder in day-to-day charge. Here’s what the role actually involves, who can do it, and how to change the DPS when a manager moves on.
Personal Licence vs Premises Licence: What’s the Difference?
You need both a licensed person and a licensed place to sell alcohol legally in England and Wales. This guide untangles the personal licence and the premises licence: what each covers, what each costs, and exactly which you need in common scenarios.