Vary premises licence

A premises licence can be varied upon submission of an application to the council.

The application must be accompanied by the current premises licence or if that is not possible the applicant must provide a statement outlining the reasons why he has failed to provide the licence.

Where the licence has been either stolen or lost before applying the council the applicant must have first reported the loss or theft to the police and have obtained either a lost or crime number.

Application evaluation process

Applications must be sent to the licensing authority for the area where the premises are located.

Applications must be in a specific format and be accompanied by:

• Any required fee
• An operating schedule
• The current premises licence or, if that is not possible, a statement outlining the reasons why the applicant has failed to provide the licence
• A plan of the premises (if the variation involves any changes to the layout of the building)
• An operating schedule will include details of:
• The licensable activities
• The times when the activities will take place
• Any other times when the premises will be open to the public
• In the case of applicants who wish to have a limited licence, the period the licence is required for
• Information in respect of the premises supervisor (if alcohol is to be sold at the premises)
• Whether any alcohol that is to be sold is for consumption on or off the premises or both
• The steps proposed to be taken to promote the licensing objectives
• Any other required information

When submitting your application to us, you must ensure that you take the following steps for it to progress:

• Advertise your application by displaying a public notice at the premises for 28 consecutive days (starting with the day after you submit your application to us)
• Place an advertisement in a local newspaper (at least once during the ten working days after you submit your application to us)
• Submit a copy of the application and required documents to all responsible authorities

Other people and responsible authorities then have 28 calendar days in which to make Representations about the application to us (as the licensing authority).

The licensing authority will serve a notice of its decision on the applicant, any person who has made relevant representations that were not deemed frivolous or vexatious, any responsible authority who has made relevant representations and the chief of police.

Application fee

The application fees for the variation of a premises licence are based upon the rateable value of the premises and whether the sale of alcohol is the primary function of the premises.

*Off licence is an example of any application for a variation which does not relate to the supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises.

^Pubs or clubs are examples of any application for a variation which does relate to the supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises.

Apply to vary a premise licence

Will "tacit consent" apply?

In respect of some licences or permits you have a legal right to act as though your application has been granted if you have not heard from us by the end of the target completion period.

For the purposes of tacit consent, our target completion period for processing a correctly completed application is 30 working days.

This period will be extended by 20 working days if we receive representations in respect of your application - we will contact you to let you know if this is the case.

Public register

Under the Licensing Act 2003 the council is required to keep a record of applications received.

This may be inspected by appointment during the hours Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.00pm at the City Centre Customer Services Centre at City Hall , Plater Way , Sunderland SR1 3AA.

Failed application redress

Please contact our City and Neighbourhood team in the first instance.

If an application for a licence is refused, the applicant can appeal to a Magistrates' court within 21 days of notice of the decision.

An applicant also has the right to appeal to the Magistrates' court within the same time frame against any conditions attached to a licence.

Find further information about responsible authorities

This service is provided in partnership with the European EUGO network.