Variations to a premises licence or club premises certificate

You can apply to vary a premises licence or club premises certificate if you want to alter existing activities or operating times.

There are certain circumstances that will require the licence holder to make an application to change their licence. Please read the information for applicants (PDF) [371KB]  before you apply.

There are two types of variation. A minor variation and a full variation.

You can also vary the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS).

Minor variations will generally fall into four categories:

• Minor changes to the structure or layout of the premises
• Small adjustments to licensing hours
• Removal of out of date, irrelevant or unenforceable conditions or addition of conditions volunteered by applicant
• Addition of certain licensable activities (except supply of alcohol) or removal of activities.

A minor variation can't be used to:

• add the retail sale of alcohol to a licence
• extend licensing hours for the sale or supply of alcohol for consumption on or off the premises between 23:00 and 07:00
• increase the amount of time on any day during which alcohol may be sold or supplied for consumption on or off the premises

These will instead be treated as full variations. However, applications to reduce hours for the sale/supply of alcohol or to move (without increasing) the licensed hours between 07:00 and 23:00 will normally be treated as a minor variation.

In all cases, the test will be whether the proposed variation could impact adversely on the licensing objectives. We may consult the relevant Responsible Authority about your application and, if we do so, we will have regard to their comments. If the licensing authority is of the opinion that the variation will adversely affect the objectives, the application will be refused. There is no right of appeal but your fee will be refunded.

Apply

To apply for a minor variation of a premises licence or a club premises certificate, you will need to:

• complete the application form
• provide supporting documents
• pay the appropriate application fee

Apply now
on the GOV.UK website

If you don't want to apply online, you can download an application form (PDF) [288KB]  to complete, and send back it to us.

Supporting documents

• copy of the plan (if the proposed variation affects the layout of the premises) (optional)
• the original premises licence or club premises certificate (paper copy not laminated summary)

Contact us

If you have any queries, or require help with your application, please contact the Licensing Team.

• email: licensing@torridge.gov.uk
• phone: 01237 428700
• post: Licensing Team, Torridge District Council, Riverbank House, Bideford EX39 2QG

Any changes to a premises licence or club premises certificate which do not meet the criteria for a minor variation must be applied for by way of a 'full' variation of the existing authorisation. For example, the inclusion of the supply of alcohol as a new licensable activity or the extension of hours for the sale of alcohol beyond 23:00 would require a full variation.

You cannot use an application to vary a premises licence or club premises certificate to:

• extend a time limited licence or certificate
• substantially alter the premises

Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis but, as a general rule, any substantial alteration will require a new application.

Apply

To apply for a full variation of a premises licence or a club premises certificate, you will need to:

• complete the relevant application form
• provide supporting documents
• pay the appropriate application fee

Variations to premises licences

Apply now (premises licences)
on the GOV.UK website

If you don't want to apply online, you can download a premises licence variation application form (PDF) [402KB]  to complete, and send back it to us.

Variations to club premises certificates

Apply now (club premises certificates)
on the GOV.UK website

If you don't want to apply online, you can download a club premises certificate variation application form (PDF) [354KB]  to complete, and send back it to us.

Supporting documents

• copy of the plan (if the proposed variation affects the layout of the premises) (optional)
• the original premises licence or club premises certificate (paper copy not laminated summary)

Contact us

If you have any queries, or require help with your application, please contact the Licensing Team.

• email: licensing@torridge.gov.uk
• phone: 01237 428700
• post: Licensing Team, Torridge District Council, Riverbank House, Bideford EX39 2QG