Club premises certificates

If you run a club (such as the Royal British Legion, a working men’s club, or sports club) and wish to supply alcohol and host regulated entertainment, or provide late night refreshment, then you must apply for a club premises certificate.

To qualify your club should meet the qualifying conditions for a club.

For details on how we use data relating to licence holders and applicants, please see our privacy notice for licence holders and applicants.

For details on how we use data relating to complainants and those making representations against a licence application, please see our privacy notice for complainants and objectors.

Apply for a new club premises certificate or vary an existing certificate

Firstly, please read our Statement of Licensing Policy and our applicant and licence holder guidance.

Then complete either:

You will need to ensure you have a plan of your premises as detailed in our applicant and licence holder guidance.

Then check which fee band your premises falls within – please see ‘How much you need to pay’.

Once you have done all of the above, you can submit your application form with the plan through our Online Applications Portal using the relevant link (please take care to select the correct fee band for your premises):

Alternatively, you can email the completed application form and any supporting documents to licensing.unit@whitehorsedc.gov.uk. We will then contact you by telephone to collect payment. Please note that the application is not complete until payment has been taken.

If you do not have access to email, you can post your application with the fee to Licensing Team, Vale of White Horse District Council at the below address. Please remember if you decide to post in your application, you must also post a copy to each of the responsible authorities.

Finally, you need to advertise your application. You can find more advice on this in our applicant and licence holder guidance.

How long will it take to process my application?

Once we’ve checked your application, responsible authorities and interested parties have a period of 28 days to comment.

If we don’t receive any valid representations, then we aim to process your application within ten working days of the closing date.

If we receive any valid representations, then we will hold a hearing within 28 days after the closing date to determine your application.

Minor variations to club premises certificates

To apply for a minor variation to a club premises certificate, you must submit a minor variation application form along with the current club premises certificate and the fee of £89. You can submit the application with any supporting documents through our Online Applications Portal.

Please read our applicant and licence holder guidance to check that your application meets the criteria for a minor variation. It is advised that you submit a draft copy of your application to the licensing team before making a formal application.

Finally, you need to advertise your application. You can find more advice on this in our applicant and licence holder guidance.

There is no need to copy the application for minor variations to the responsible authorities. However, the Licensing team will consult the relevant authority if they consider that there is any doubt about the effect on the licensing objectives. Any representations received will be considered by a licensing officer; they do not trigger a hearing under the minor variations process. The officer has no power to impose conditions and only conditions volunteered by the applicant can be added to the certificate. The officer will determine whether a proposed variation would impact adversely on any of the four licensing objectives, and whether to grant or refuse the application.

Applications that have been rejected under the minor variations process can then be the subject of a full variation application. The previous refusal does not affect any subsequent variation application in respect of the same premises.

Notification of an interest in a premises

Any person with a legal interest in a property may give notice to the licensing authority of their interest, in order to be kept informed of any licensing applications in respect of that property. A legal interest is defined as:

the freeholder or leaseholder of the premises;
a legal mortgagee in respect of the premises; or
a person in occupation of the premises.

There is no legal requirement for persons with these property interests to give notice to the licensing authority – it is entirely at their discretion as to whether to make use of this provision. Once received, the authority will record your interest in the premises, endorse the notice and return it to you. You will then be formally notified of any subsequent applications relating to licences under the Licensing Act 2003, in respect of the premises indicated. This may include new applications, variations of existing licences, transfers, reviews, or notification if the licence lapses or is surrendered. The notice of interest is valid for 12 months from the date of receipt. After this time, if you still wish to be kept informed of any applications or changes made for licences in respect of the premises, you may submit a new notification of interest in a premises through our Online Application Portal.

Alternatively you can email it to us at the address below. We will then contact you by telephone to collect payment.

If you do not have access to email, you can post your application with the fee of £21 to Licensing Team, Vale of White Horse District Council at the below address.

Change of details or request for a copy certificate

To tell us about a change of name or address on a certificate, or to request a copy of the certificate, please use our Online Applications Portal. You will need to attach a document explaining the changes required, or simply state that you require a copy of the certificate. Please include the certificate number, premises details and your contact details so we can get in touch with you if required.

Alternatively you can email your request to the address below. We will then contact you by telephone to collect payment.

If you do not have access to email, you can post your request with the fee of £10.50 to Licensing Team, Vale of White Horse District Council at the below address.