13 June 2005 at 16:01

In November, the Licensing Act 2003 will become fully operational. All sales to the public will have to be covered by a Premises Licence and a Designated Premises Supervisor, who will have to hold a Personal Licence.

Brewers currently providing ‘wholesale’ supplies to the public will have to take action. If the brewery has an Off Licence, a Premises Licence and Personal licence applications will have to be made by August 6th, 2005, in order to provide continuity of Licence.

Brewers who only relied on the previous 1964 Act allowing ‘wholesale’ sales to the public of over 4.5 gallons will have to obtain a Personal Licence (involving an accredited training course) and a Premises Licence. It appears that applications will have to be made by 6th August to enable continuity of legal training.

Therefore all members need to contact their Local Authority to obtain: forms for Premises and Personal Licence Applications; information on fees for the above; Licensing Objectives of the Local Authority; and Regulations concerning the Licensing Act 2003.

In the first instance, it is essential reading to go to http://www.culture.gov.uk/alcohol_and_entertainment/licensing_act_2003 where the Department for Culture, Media and Sport outline the whole Act and forms can be downloaded