Entertainment Licences

Licensing Act 2003

The Licensing Act 2003 combines the existing systems of licensing of the sale of alcohol, the provision of public entertainment, the displaying of films, performances of plays, the provision of late night refreshment and the certification of clubs into one single system, and makes the Local District or Unitary Council responsible for issuing the new form of single licence, called a Premises Licence. At the same time the Licensing Act transfers the responsibility for licensing clubs from the Licensing Magistrates to the Licensing Authority, making Licensing Authorities responsible for issuing Club Premises Certificates.

The Licensing Act also creates what is known as a Personal Licence, which allows a holder to sell or authorise the sale of alcohol from licensed premises, abolishes the concept of fixed licensed hours for the sale of alcohol and makes late night takeaways licensable for the first time.

The Licensing Act 2003 came into force in November 2005, introducing a single-licence system for all licensed premises, covering the following activities:

• The showing of films
• The performance of plays 
• Boxing or wrestling (indoors and outdoors) 
• Indoor sporting activities 
• Live and recorded music, the performance of dance, and entertainment of a similar nature 
• Provision of facilities for making music, dancing, and entertainment of a similar nature 
• Late Night Refreshment (hot food between the hours of 2300 and 0500) 
• The sale by retail of alcohol 
• For further information on the Act, and more specific information relating to aspects of the application and consultation process, please do not hesitate to contact the Northamptonshire Licensing Partnership:
  

Tel 01832 742102

Email licensingunit@east-northamptonshire.gov.uk

Or for more information visit the Northants Licensing Unit Website

Last updated: 3/5/2012