To authorise the supply of alcohol and regulated entertainment in a qualifying club you need a club premises certificate from your local authority. In a qualifying club there is technically no sale by retail of alcohol (except to guests) as the member owns part of the alcohol stock and the money passing across the bar is merely a mechanism to preserve equity between members where one may consume more than another. In order to constitute a qualifying club you must also satisfy the various requirements set out in the Licensing Act 2003.

The applicant for a Club Premises Certificate must send the application form and fee to the Council, and send copies of the application form to the responsible authorities (the police, fire authority and certain council services).

• Club Premises Application Form and Guidance Notes
• Vary Club Premises Certificate

The application must include a plan of the premises and an operating schedule describing the proposed activities. The applicant must advertise the application in the local press and on notices displayed at the premises for a period of 28 days.

• Requirements for plans accompanying premises and club premises applications
• Licensing Act 2003 Public Notice

Club Premises last indefinitely and do not need to be renewed. There is however an annual fee.