Alcohol, Entertainment & Late Night Refreshment
The Licensing System
The Licensing Act 2003 applies to the following activities:
The sale of alcohol or supply of alcohol
The provision of regulated entertainment which includes music and dancing (you may also require further licences for the payment of royalties, which are not issued by the Local Authority)
The supply of late-night refreshment (hot food or drink after 2300 hours)
Under the terms of the Act anyone wishing to offer any of the above activities to members of the general public must first obtain an appropriate authorisation from the local Council. Usually this will be in the form a licence but, for occasional activities, a Temporary Event Notice may be used.
Licences usually cover the premises where the activities will be offered (called a premises licence) but if alcohol is to be made available a separate licence (called a personal licence) will also be required.
There are different rules for private members clubs that meet certain criteria. Please call the Council's Licensing Team for further information.
In order to prevent and detect fraud, we may share information about you with other organisations including the Police, conduct searches about you using publicly available databases, check and/or share your details with fraud prevention and detection agencies.
We also offer a Licensing Direct Service. This provides advice and assistance with the application processes. Please click here for further information.
- How to Obtain a Premises Licence
- How to Obtain a Club Premises Certificate
- How to Obtain a Temporary Event Notice
- How to Obtain a Personal Licence
Statement of Licensing Policy 2024 to 2029
The Licensing Act 2003 requires that the Council, acting as the Licensing Authority, prepare, consult on and publish a Statement of Licensing Policy to be published every five years, setting out the policies the Council will generally apply to promote the four licensing objectives when making decisions on applications under the Act.
The statement sets out the basis on which decisions under the Licensing Act 2003 will be made. The policy strives to achieve a local balance between the commercial interests of the licensed trade and the communities they serve and affect, a balance between freedom and responsibility.
This is Westmorland and Furness Council’s first Statement of Licensing Policy which was approved by Council on the 22nd February 2024, for the period 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2029
A copy of the policy can be downloaded here: Statement of Licensing Policy 2024 – 2029
Licence Review
A licence may be reviewed once it has been granted if it is alleged that the premises concerned are not promoting the Licensing Act's 'licensing objectives'. These are: -
- The prevention of crime and disorder;
- Public safety;
- The prevention of public nuisance and;
- The protection of children from harm.
Applications for the review of a Premises Licence or Club Certificate must be made to the licensing authority by either a Responsible Authority (i.e. the Police, Environmental Health) or an Interested Party (i.e. a resident or business living close to the premises).
Following an application for the review of a licence, the Council will organise a hearing where the issue can be discussed and a decision taken on whether any action is needed. The options available to the Council are: -
- To take no action
- To remove the Designated Premises Supervisor
- To remove a licensed activity from the licence
- To add or amend a condition on the licence
- To suspend the licence for no more than 3 months
- To revoke the licence
For further information we strongly advise that you read the relevant guidance notes.
Application Forms & Guidance Notes
Contact details:
Licensing,
Public Health and Public Protection,
Westmorland and Furness Council,
Town Hall,
Duke Street,
Barrow-in-Furness,
Cumbria LA14 2LD
Tel: 01229 876543
Email: commercial@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk with your enquiry.