Club premises certificate

A club premises certificate permits licensable activities at the premises of a 'qualifying club'.

A qualifying club applying for a club premises certificate does not need a DPS as there is no supply of alcohol by retail taking place. Alcohol may be bought for the club by the members and the money being passed across the bar is to maintain equity between members.

Please make sure that the club rule book makes clear the policy for guests. Clubs should carefully consider whether they should apply for a club premises certificate or a premises licence. As committee members and secretaries in clubs change, please ensure the council is informed as it is an offence not to.

A club will be considered to be 'qualifying' provided that:

  • under the club rules, persons may not be admitted to membership, or be admitted as candidates for membership, to any of the privileges of membership without an interval of at least two days between their nomination or application for membership or their admission
  • under the club rules, people becoming members without nomination or prior application may not be admitted to the privileges of membership without an interval of two days between them becoming members and their admission
  • the club has a minimum of 25 members
  • the club is established and conducted in good faith as a club

Qualifying clubs should not be confused with proprietary clubs, which are clubs run commercially by individuals, partnerships or businesses for the purposes of profit. Proprietary clubs will require a premises licence and are not eligible to be qualifying clubs.

Before you start

You'll need to provide:

  • a plan of the premises showing certain criteria
  • a copy of the rules of the club
  • a club operating schedule
  • completed club declaration form
  • the application fee

Club premises certificate fees

You’ll be charged a fee that’s based on the rateable value of the property.

Most club premises certificates have an unlimited duration but you will have to pay an annual fee.

Non-domestic rateable value
Application for grant
Application for variation
Application for minor variation
Annual fee
Band A 
(£0 - £4,300)
£100
£100
£89
£70
Band B 
(£4,301 - £33,000)
£190
£190
£89
£180
Band C 
(£33,001 - £87,000)
£315
£315
£89
£295
Band D 
(£87,001 - £125,000)
£450
£450
£89
£320
Band E 
(£125,001+)
£635
£635
£89
£350

Other club premises fees

  • Application for a copy following theft or loss - £10.50
  • Notification of change of name or alteration of rules of club - £10.50
  • Change of relevant registered address of club - £10.50

Apply or amend a club premises certificate - online forms

Apply or amend a club premises certificate - application forms

After you've made an application

There is a 28 day period during which the responsible authorities and any other person can make representations about a new premises licence application. If no representations are received within this 28 day period, the application is granted with the relevant mandatory conditions and any conditions consistent with your operating schedule.

If representations are received, the application process can take longer as a licensing sub-committee might need to be arranged to to hear the application.

Displaying your application notice

You must display your ‘application notice’ at or on the premises for 28 days from the day after it was submitted.

Appealing a decision

If your licence application is refused, you can appeal. Appeals should be made to the Magistrates Court within 21 days of being notified of the Licensing Authority's decision.

You can also appeal against any conditions attached to your club premises certificate, including a decision to:

  • exclude a licensable activity from the licence
  • reject a variation application

Displaying your certificate

You must prominently display the club premises certificate in your club.