Licensing Act 2003
What does the Act do?
The Licensing Act 2003 brings together a number of different licensing regimes under one act.
For the purposes of the Licensing Act 2003, the following are licensable activities:
a) the sale by retail of alcohol,
b) the supply of alcohol by or on behalf of a club to, or to the order of, a member of the club,
c) the provision of regulated entertainment, and
d) the provision of late night refreshment.
The law promotes four important licensing objectives:
- The prevention of crime and disorder
- The promotion of public safety
- The prevention of public nuisance
- The protection of children from harm.
What licences will I need to hold?
There are three licences issued under the Licensing Act 2003:
And one notice that can be given to the licensing authority in respect of a temporary event:
Please click on the relevant heading for more information and how to apply.
Licensing Policy
Sheffield City Council carried out a comprehensive consultation process prior to and during the writing of its Licensing Policy Document.
Each three year period, the policy must be reviewed and consulted upon.
Please see the Statement of Licensing Policy page to view the policy document and see whether a review is currently being carried out.
Where can I find out more about the Licensing Act 2003?
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has detailed information about the Licensing Act 2003 - visit the DCMS Website.
You can read the full Licensing Act 2003 on the Office of Public Sector Information website - OPSI Website.
You can contact the Licensing General Section for help completing forms or for advice on which forms to complete.
Please note: The Licensing General Section is unable to provide you with legal advice. Please contact your own solicitor should you require legal help.
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