Anglesey Licensing: A Comprehensive Guide

Operating a business that involves the sale of alcohol, late-night hot food and drink, or public entertainment in Anglesey requires a thorough understanding of the licensing process. The Isle of Anglesey Council oversees these applications, ensuring that all licensable activities comply with the Licensing Act 2003. This guide aims to provide a comprehensive overview of what you need to know, from initial applications to maintaining your licence.

Understanding Premises Licences

A premises licence is a crucial document for any establishment wishing to undertake licensable activities. These activities are broadly categorised and include:

• The sale by retail of alcohol.
• The provision of regulated entertainment (e.g., live music, recorded music, dancing, plays, films).
• The provision of late night refreshment (hot food or drink between 11:00 PM and 5:00 AM).

The application process ensures that the council can assess whether the proposed activities will uphold the four licensing objectives:

1. The prevention of crime and disorder.
2. Public safety.
3. The prevention of public nuisance.
4. The protection of children from harm.

Applying for a Premises Licence

To apply for a new premises licence, you will need to complete an online application form and submit it to the Licensing Section. The address for submissions is: Regulatory and Economic Development, Council Offices, Llangefni, Isle of Anglesey LL77 7TW. It is highly recommended to discuss your application with a licensing officer before submission, as providing as much detail as possible will significantly assist the process. Failure to provide sufficient information may result in the refusal of your application. For applications involving a variation to the layout of your premises, a revised plan must be included.

Advertising Applications

The council is legally required to advertise certain applications. This includes:

• Applications for a premises licence.
• Applications for a provisional statement.
• Applications to vary a premises licence.
• Applications for a club premises certificate.
• Applications to vary a club premises certificate.

These applications are open to representations from the public and responsible authorities for a period of 28 days. Representations must be made in writing to the Licensing Section at the address provided above.

Variations to a Premises Licence

If you need to make changes to your existing premises licence, you must apply for a variation. This could involve several types of amendments, such as:

• Substantially varying the premises to which the licence relates.
• Adding the sale of alcohol to a premises licence.
• Increasing the hours during which alcohol may be sold.
• Adding new licensable activities.
• Varying the hours during which a licensable activity is permitted.
• Amending, adding, or removing conditions within a licence.

As with initial applications, it is beneficial to consult with a licensing officer beforehand. A revised plan will be required if the variation affects the layout of the premises. You will also need to advertise your variation or display a notice for a minor variation.

Minor Variations

A minor variation is a change that could not adversely impact any of the four licensing objectives. These are typically for smaller adjustments, including:

• Minor changes to the structure or layout of a premises.
• The addition of authorisation for late night refreshment or regulated entertainment.
• Small changes to licensing hours.
• Revisions, removals, and additions of conditions (e.g., removing outdated conditions or adding volunteered ones).

Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS)

Premises licences authorising the sale of alcohol must specify an individual as the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS). Only the licence holder can apply to vary the licence to nominate a new DPS. This ensures that there is a named individual responsible for the day-to-day management of alcohol sales at the premises.

Transferring a Premises Licence

If the ownership or operational control of a business with a premises licence changes, the licence needs to be transferred to the new holder. This involves completing an online form and paying the relevant fee. The transfer process ensures continuity and that the new holder is aware of and compliant with the licence conditions.

Annual Fees and Consequences of Non-Payment

Premises licences require an annual fee to be paid. This fee is due each year on the anniversary of the licence's original grant date. The amount of the annual fee is determined by the non-domestic rateable value of the premises, falling into different bands.

Annual Fee Structure

The following table outlines the bands and corresponding annual fees:

It is imperative to pay your annual fee on or before the due date. Failure to do so will result in the suspension of your premises licence. You will be unable to carry out any licensable activities until the outstanding fee is paid. To pay the annual fee, you can complete the relevant online form.

Council Tax in Isle of Anglesey

The Isle of Anglesey Council is a Unitary Authority in Wales. It is responsible for collecting Council Tax from residential properties and Business Rates from commercial properties. Currently, there are approximately 36,310 residential properties and 2,853 commercial properties subject to these charges. The most common Council Tax band in the area is D, with a median band of C. The average Council Tax value stands at £1,321.73. For comparative figures with other councils, a dedicated Council Tax Comparison page is available.

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