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Vary DPS

This page is for applications for premises licence holders to vary the Designated Premises Supervisor at their premises.

Permission of the person who will be DPS is required. The appropriate form may be found on the Home Office website - See External links

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

The holder of a premises licence (which authorises the sale of alcohol) may apply to change the name of the individual named on his premises licence as the designated premises supervisor (DPS).

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
  • The current premises licence or, if that is not possible, a statement outlining the reasons why the applicant has failed to provide the licence
  • The signed consent of the incoming designated premises supervisor (DPS)

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

  • Submit a copy of the application and required documents to Northumbria Police and to the outgoing DPS

Northumbria Police then have 14 calendar days in which to make representations about the application to us (as the licensing authority).

Where no representations are made, the licensing authority must grant the application, which can be subject to conditions. A hearing must be held within 20 working days of the end of the representation period if any representations are made in respect of the application. If a hearing is held the application to vary a premises licence to specify a Designated Premises Supervisor can be granted or rejected.

The licensing authority will serve a notice of its decision on the applicant and the chief of police.

Application fee

The fee for an application to vary a premises licence to specify a Designated Premises Supervisor is £23.00

Apply to vary DPS

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.

This right is known as 'tacit consent'.

Will "tacit consent" apply?

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.

Tacit consent will apply.

Failed application redress

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

If an application 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 on designated premises supervisors

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