Minor variation to a premises licence or club certificate
It is possible to make small changes to a premises licence or club premises certificate through the minor variation process, which is cheaper, easier and quicker than the full variation process.
The minor variations process can only be used for variations that could have no adverse impact on the promotion of any of the four licensing objectives. These are:
- the prevention of crime and disorder
- public safety
- the prevention of public nuisance
- the protection of children from harm
What can a minor variation be used for?
The minor variation process can be used to:
- remove conditions which are out of date or invalid
- revise conditions which are unclear (if the intention and effect remains the same).
- add a new condition volunteered by the applicant or mutually agreed between the applicant and a responsible authority, such as the police or the environmental health authority (subject to impact on the licensing objectives).
The minor variation process cannot be used to:
- extend the period for which the licence has effect
- vary substantially the premises to which it relates
- specify, in a premises licence, an individual as the designated premises supervisor
- add the sale by retail or supply of alcohol as an activity authorised by a licence or certificate
- authorise the sale by retail or supply of alcohol at any time between 11pm and 7am
- authorise an increase in the amount of time on any day during which alcohol may be sold by retail or supplied
- include the alternative licence condition referred to in section 41D(3) of the Licensing Act 2003 in a premises licence.
Licensing and Planning
Licensing and Planning rules are different. Granting a Premises Licence will not give you any authorisation under Planning legislation.
It is your responsibility to check if planning permission is in place for the type or hours of trading you would like to operate.
You should look into any planning permission requirements before submitting an application for a premises licence.
Visit our planning permission page
How to apply for a minor variation to a premises licence or club certificate
You will need to visit GOV.UK to apply for a minor variation to a premises licence or club certificate.
When submitting your application, you may need to provide a premises plan. You can get information on what the plans should include in our Plans of Premises Guidance Notes.
Plans of premises guidance notes (PDF, 86KB)
Visit GOV.UK to apply for a minor variation to a premises licence or club certificate (external website)
How much does it cost?
It costs £89 to apply for a minor variation.
Determination of an application
The Licensing Authority has 15 working days to process and determine the application from the day after the application is received.
Applications are determined by Licensing officers. If any relevant representations are received from a Responsible Authority or any other person, then Licensing officers must refuse the application as there is no right to a hearing. However, you may resubmit through the full variation process.