Club premises certificate

Clubs must be qualifying clubs, which satisfy general conditions. These are that:

• a person may not gain membership or membership privileges as a candidate for membership without waiting two days after their application or nomination
• club rules state anyone gaining membership without nomination or application cannot have membership privileges for two days between becoming members and admission to the club
• the club is established and conducted in good faith
• the club has at least 25 members
• alcohol is only supplied to members on the premises on behalf or by the club

These further conditions about the supply of alcohol must be complied with:

• alcohol purchased for and supplied by the club is done by members over 18 who the members elect to do so
• no-one at the club’s expense receives any commission, percentage or other similar payment for the club buying alcohol
• no-one receives a financial benefit from supplying alcohol, apart from benefits to the club or any person indirectly giving a gain from running the club

Registered industrial and provident societies and friendly societies qualify if purchasing and supplying alcohol is under members’ control or a members’ committee.

Also, relevant miners' welfare institutes can be considered. A relevant institute is managed by a committee or board at least two thirds full of people appointed or elevated by:

• one or more licensed operators under the Coal Industry Act 1994
• and one or more organisations representing coal mine employees

The institute can be managed by the committee or board. Yet the board cannot be made up as detailed above, but from:

• at least two thirds of members who were employed or are employed in or around coal mines
• and also people appointed by the Coal Industry Welfare Organisation or a body with similar functions under the Miners' Welfare Act 1952

In any case, the institute’s premises must be held on a trust as required under the Recreational Charities Act 1958.

See a summary of the eligibility criteria for this licence.

A club can apply for a club premises certificate for any premises occupied and used regularly for club purposes.

Applications must be:

• made to the local licensing authority, which is the premises’ local authority
• submitted with a premises plan in a specific format, a copy of the club’s rules and a club operating schedule

A club operating schedule is a document in a specific format with information on:

• the club’s activities
• the times its activities are to occur
• other opening times
• if alcohol supplies are for consumption on or off the premises, or both
• the steps the club intends to take to promote the licensing objectives
• any other information required

Club secretaries must tell the licensing authority of changes to the club’s rules or name while applications are being determined, or after receiving a certificate. If a certificate is in place, it must be sent to the licensing authority when they are notified.

If a certificate is in place and the club’s registered address changes, the club must notify the local licensing authority of the change. Also, they must provide the certificate with the notice.

A club may apply to a local licensing authority to vary a certificate. The certificate should accompany the application.

The local licensing authority may inspect the premises before an application is considered. Fees may apply for any type of application involving a club premises certificate.

Under the Council’s Scheme of Delegation, certificates can be granted if no representations are made. Yet if representations are made, the local authority will hold a hearing. If the applicant and objector cannot agree, the application will be placed for consideration by Members of the Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee.

Minor variations for club premises certificates

Licence holders should refer to the Home Office website for guidance on minor variations.

This means you can act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the local authority by the process’s deadline.

The local licensing authority will tell you about refused applications for certificates or variations of certificates.

If rejected, the applicant may appeal.

Appeals must be made to the local magistrates' court within 21 days of the decision.

In the first instance, please contact us to discuss the issue:

Email: licensing@bridgend.gov.uk

Bridgend County Borough Council
Licensing Section
Civic Offices
Angel Street
Bridgend
CF31 4WB

If we refuse applications for variation, the licence holder may appeal. A licence holder can appeal against decisions to put conditions on a certificate, or to exclude club activities. Appeals may also be made against variations of any conditions.

Appeals can be made against a review’s decision. A club may appeal against withdrawing a certificate. Also, appeals must be made to the local magistrates' court within 21 days of the decision.

In the first instance, please contact us to discuss the issue:

Email: licensing@bridgend.gov.uk

Bridgend County Borough Council
Licensing Section
Civic Offices
Angel Street
Bridgend
CF31 4WB

When complaining, make the first contact with the trader yourself, and preferably by letter with proof of delivery. If that does not work and you are in the UK, Citizens’ Advice Consumer Helpline can help. Outside the UK, contact the UK European Consumer Centre.

Responsible authorities or interested parties may request a review of certificates. The local licensing authority will explain their response to the application in a notice.

Appeals against a review’s decision can be made. Yet appeals must be made to the local magistrates' court within 21 days of the decision.

Any interested party may make representations to the local licensing authority before certificates or certificate amendments are granted. If representations are made, a hearing will consider the application and representations. The local licensing authority will detail reasons for any outcome in notices. Notices of failed applications will be sent to interested parties who made representations.

The Licensing Act 2003 defines interested parties as:

“persons who live, or are involved in a business, in the relevant licensing authority’s area”

An interested party may request a review of the club premises certificate. The local licensing authority will explain their response to the application in a notice.

Interested parties may appeal by arguing a certificate should not have been granted, or that different or additional conditions or limitations on activities should have been made. They may also appeal against any variation of a condition.

Appeals against a review’s decision can be made. Yet appeals must be made to the local magistrates' court within 21 days of the decision.