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A personal licence is granted to an individual and authorises that person to supply alcohol from establishments with a premises licence.
An individual may hold only one personal licence at any one time.
All premises carrying out licensable activities must have a premises licence or club premises certificate. If a premises licence authorises the supply of alcohol it is a requirement that there is a Designated Premises Supervisor, who must be a personal licence holder. Community premises are the exception (see separate guidance).
The licensing of individuals separately from the licensing of premises permits the movement of personal licence holders from one premises to another, allowing greater flexibility.
A Personal Licence is not required for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN).
Recent changes to the 2003 act have been introduced by the Deregulation Act 2015. From 01 April 2015, personal licences are now granted indefinitely with no expiry date. Equally, if you hold an existing personal licence – this remains valid indefinitely and the expiry date should be disregarded. Should you wish to update your licence to remove the expiry date a fee will be charged.
If you move house or job you do not have to move your licence to another local authority. However, you do have to notify the local authority which issued your personal licence of any changes to your name or address.
Applicants for personal licences must be over 18 years old and will need to obtain an accredited qualification first or be a ‘person of prescribed description’.
The aim of the qualification is to ensure that licence holders are aware of licensing law and the wider social responsibilities attached to the sale of alcohol. Personal licence qualification providers are accredited by the Secretary of State.
You will find help and advice on qualifications in the Personal Licence Guidance Notes (see below).
Persons of prescribed description are currently the Master Vintners, persons licensed by the Board of Green Cloth and persons licensed by the University of Cambridge. If you are a person of a prescribed description, you must include evidence of this with your application.
The powers to regulate and issue licences is contained in the Licensing Act 2003 (external link to the National Archives website). Gov.uk has more information on personal licences.
Portsmouth City Council will grant the licence if:
Tacit consent will not apply.
Requirements for an application are:
Email licensing@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or post to Portsmouth City Council Licensing service, Civic Offices, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth, PO1 2AL
Please contact the council in the first instance. Email licensing@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call 023 9283 4607
In the event of a complaint, we advise you to make the first contact with the trader – preferably by letter (with proof of delivery). If that does not work, Advice guide will give you advice. From outside the UK, contact the UK European Consumer Centre.
Follow the link to View the public register.