Club Premises Certificate

To authorise the supply of alcohol and regulated entertainment in a qualifying club you need a club premises certificate. In a qualifying club there is technically no sale by retail of alcohol (except to guests) as the member owns part of the alcohol stock and the money passing across the bar is merely a mechanism to preserve equity between members where one may consume more than another. In order to constitute a qualifying club you must also satisfy the various requirements set out in the Licensing Act 2003.

Am I eligible to apply?

Clubs must be qualifying clubs. A qualifying club has general conditions it must satisfy. These are:

• a person may not be given membership or as a candidate for membership to any membership privileges without an interval of at least two days from their membership application or nomination and their membership being granted
• that club rules state that those becoming a member without nomination or application cannot have membership privileges for at least two days between them becoming members and being admitted to the club
• that the club is established and conducted in good faith
• that the club has at least 25 members
• that alcohol is only supplied to members on the premises on behalf of or by the club

Additional conditions in relation to the supply of alcohol must be complied with. These conditions are:

• that alcohol purchased for and supplied by the club is done by members of club who are over 18 years of age and are elected to do so by the members
• that no person at the expense of the club receives any commission, percentage or other similar payment in regard to the purchase of alcohol by the club
• that there are no arrangements for anyone to receive a financial benefit from supplying alcohol, apart from any benefit to the club or to any person indirectly from the supply giving a gain from running the club

Registered industrial and provident societies and friendly societies will qualify if the alcohol is purchased for and supplied by the club is done under the control of the members or a committee of members.

Relevant miners' welfare institutes can also be considered. A relevant institute is one that is managed by a committee or board that consists of at least two thirds of people appointed or elevated by one or more licensed operators under the Coal Industry Act 1994 and by one or more organisations who represent coal mine employees. The institute can be managed by the committee or board where the board cannot be made up as detailed above but is made up of at least two thirds of members who were employed or are employed in or around coal mines and also by people who were appointed by the Coal Industry Welfare Organisation or by a body who had similar functions under the Miners' Welfare Act 1952. In any case the premises of the institute must be held on a trust as required under the Recreational Charities Act 1958.

Summary of the regulations

• A summary of the regulation relating to this licence

How we evaluate your application

A club can apply for a club premises certificate for any premises which are occupied and used regularly for club purposes.

Applications should be made to the local licensing authority, which will be the local authority where the premises are situated.

To apply for a club premises certificate, you will need to:

• Complete the club premises certificate application form (online through gov.uk).
• Complete the club premises certificate declaration form.
• Find or get plans drawn up.
• Enclose the club rules.
• Pay the fee.
• Advertise in a newspaper.
• Advertise by way of a site notice.
• Send copies of the application to all 8 of the responsible authorities (if you apply online this will be done on your behalf).

Change of details or club rules

If you would like to make a change to the details on your club premises certificate, for example if you get a new steward or change your club rules, you can advise us by email to licensing@bradford.gov.uk

The fee for a change of details is £10.50.

A club may apply to a local licensing authority to vary a certificate. The certificate should accompany the application.

Will tacit consent apply?

Yes. This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from Bradford Council by the end of the target completion period.

How to apply

Visit the gov.uk links below to download and complete the application form. When you are on the gov.uk page, you need to follow the instructions to download the application form.

You'll need a debit or credit card to pay the fee.

• Application for a new club premises certificate
• Application for a minor variation to a club premises certificate
• Application for a variation to a club premises certificate
• Notification of change of details or club rules

You can also apply in writing using the application forms on this page.

What to do if we refuse your application

Please contact Bradford Council in the first instance.

A failed applicant will receive notice of the refusal of an application for a certificate or variation of a certificate from the local licensing authority.

If an application is rejected, the applicant may appeal the decision.
Appeals must be made to the local Magistrates' court within 21 days of the decision appealed.

Appeals by licence holders

If a local licensing authority refuses an application for a variation the licence holder may appeal the decision. A licence holder can appeal against a decision to put conditions on a certificate or to exclude any club activity. Appeals may also be made against the variation of any condition.

Appeals against the decision of a review can be made.
A club may appeal against the withdrawing of a certificate.
Appeals must be made to the local Magistrates' Court within 21 days of the decision appealed.

Other complaints

Other persons, which include any individual, body or business, or responsible authorities may make representations to the local licensing authority before the certificate is granted or before amendments to a certificate are granted. If representations are made a hearing will be held to consider the application and the representations. Notices will be made by the local licensing authority detailing the reasons for any outcome. Any individual, body or business, or responsible authority who made representations will receive notice of a failed application.

Any party who made a representation may appeal a decision if they argue that a certificate should not have been granted or that different or additional conditions or limitations on activities should have been made. They may also appeal against any variation of a condition.

Any individual, body or business, or responsible authority may request a review of a club premises certificate.

Appeals against the decision of a review can be made. Appeals must be made to the local Magistrates' Court within 21 days of the decision appealed.