Personal and premises licences

South Oxfordshire District Council is the Licensing Authority for the district under the Licensing Act 2003.

We issue personal licences, premises licences, club premises certificates and permit temporary activities which allow many types of businesses to carry out the licensable activities. These activities are;

• Sale or supply by retail of alcohol
• The provision of regulated entertainment
• The provision of late night refreshment between 11pm and 5am

This affects pubs, clubs, bars, restaurants, supermarkets, off licences, cinemas, theatres, community premises and late night takeaways to name just a few.

Regulated entertainment includes the following activities:

a) a performance of a play
b) an exhibition of a film
c) an indoor sporting event
d) boxing or wrestling entertainment
e) a performance of live music
f) any playing of recorded music
g) a performance of dance
h) entertainment of a similar description to e), f) or g)

The above list gives a quick overview of what the Act defines as regulated entertainment. There is further guidance contained in the Act which explains in more detail how the above areas are defined. If you are not sure if an activity is or is not licensable please speak to Licensing Department for further advice.

The licensing objectives

Under the Licensing Act 2003, the Licensing Authority must publish a statement of licensing policy showing how it will promote the licensing objectives of:

• Prevention of crime and disorder
• Protection of children from harm
• Public safety
• Prevention of public nuisance

A key feature of this licensing regime is to allow local communities a say in licensing decisions that affect them, as well as ensuring that professionals such as the police, fire authorities, trading standards and environmental health officers are able to scrutinise applications and take action if problems occur.

The 2003 Act allows the views of local people and businesses to be taken into account when someone applies for a licence or certificate to carry out a licensable activity such as selling alcohol, providing regulated entertainment and providing late night refreshment.

To make an application go to the form section.

To find out more on licensing, please visit the links below or contact the Licensing Team.