Licensing Costs Information

We are required to set out  price and service information for dealing with licensing applications in connection with business premises. 

The typical costs for an application for a new premises licence (simple application) would be £2,700 (including VAT but excluding disbursements).

This fee is made up of:

  • Legal fees £2,250
  • VAT on legal fees £450 (VAT is presently 20%)

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as the application fee.

  • Application fee (payable to licensing authority) £200*
  • Advertising fee £500*
  • Enquiry agent fees to display public notices £350*
  • Special delivery fee to serve the application £50
  • Printing additional copies of plans if necessary £50

*These fees vary depending on the individual premises and where it is located. The fees can on occasion be higher than the ranges given above. We will give you an accurate figure for each item as soon as we are able to do so. These figures are inclusive of any VAT payable except where stated, at a rate of 20%.

The fee includes:

  • Taking your instructions and advising you as to how you can promote the licensing objectives within your application
  • Advising you as the type of plans you are required to submit with your application.
  • Completing the application form for a new premises licence (including the operating schedule) in accordance with your instructions and submitting this to the local licensing authority alongside suitable plans. You must provide suitable plans.
  • Providing guidance on the fee levels payable to the licensing authority.
  • Preparing copies of the premises licence application for disclosure to the responsible authorities and serving copies of the application on the responsible authorities.
  • Drafting the notices advertising the premises licence application and submitting the notice to the local newspaper.
  • Arranging with you for you to display the notice(s) advertising the premises licence application and advising as to where and how this should be done by you in order to comply with the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003.
  • Providing a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) consent form for signature by a personal licence holder proposed by yourself.
  • Checking the licence once granted and correcting any errors with the licensing authority.

The fee does not include:

  • Obtaining suitable plans.
  • Attending pre-consultation meetings with the Licensing Authority or Responsible Authorities, nor their fee for this meeting.
  • Dealing with or advising you in relation to queries or representations received from either the responsible authorities or other interested parties.
  • Advising on varying the licence.
  • Attendance and representation at a licensing sub-committee hearing of the responsible authority. If representations are received and attendance and representation at a licensing sub-committee is required then we will provide a separate fee estimate for this work which will be charged at an hourly rate.

Matters usually take 8 weeks from receipt of full instructions from you. This is on the basis of the application being relatively straightforward and you being able to provide all the necessary documents promptly. If your matter is more complex, for example, if there is substantial opposition from interested parties, or if there is a delay in receiving the documents we need, it may take longer.

Application Process

The Application Process will depend on what licence or change you are applying for, but in general includes : -

  1. Complete and submit the application to the local Licensing Authority which will need to include an operating schedule and to address the four licensing objectives namely:
  • Prevention of crime and disorder
  • Public safety
  • Prevention of public nuisance
  • Protection of children from harm
  1. You will need to ensure you have a fully qualified personal licence holder to be the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS).
  1. You will need to provide a plan of the premises.
  1. You may need to advertise your application in the local newspaper and at the premises.
  1. If the application has been submitted correctly and there are no objections, the Premises Licence will be granted.

Who will carry out the work?

The work will be undertaken by a qualified Solicitor with the assistance of a paralegal or Trainee Solicitor, under the supervision of a Partner. The fee estimates above would accord with a Solicitor with 3 years' post qualification experience undertaking the work. Profiles of our staff can be reviewed here.

The fees are based on hourly rates charged by the Partner with supervision for the work, Philip Li, and that of his Assistant Solicitor, Sunjay Issur.  Both Philip and Sunjay are qualified Solicitors.