Licensing

Transparency Guidelines for Licensing matters

We advise and represent businesses and individuals in relation to all of their licensing requirements regarding applications under the Licensing Act 2003.

Our fees can vary depending on the nature and complexity of the work we are carrying out.

We will endeavour to agree a fixed fee with you which will be dependent upon the type of application and its anticipated complexity. All our fixed fees assume the application is relatively straightforward and that you have provided all the information to submit the application promptly.

We set out below the details of our pricing:

1. 1. Applications for a new Premises Licence

We will take into account the following factors:

• The likelihood the application is to attract representations/objections.
• whether the premises falls within a cumulative impact area.
• our experiences with previous applications in the area.

We estimate the costs will be within the range of between £1,140.00 - £1,740.00 (inclusive of VAT).

This covers:-

• - preparing and submitting an application to the Council and all responsible authorities.
• - dealing with any routine enquiries.

The estimated costs are on the basis that the application proceeds without any objections and / or issues.

1. 2. Application for a Variation to a Premises Licence

We estimate the costs will be within the range of £1,860 - £2,640 (inclusive of VAT)

This covers the cost of preparing and submitting an application to the Council and all responsible authorities and dealing with any routine enquiries.

The costs are provided on the basis that the application proceeds without any objections and / or issues.

1. 3. Application for a Minor Variation

An application to deal with a Minor Variation our costs will be in the range of £900.00 - £1,020.00 (inclusive of VAT) plus disbursements.

This cost covers taking instructions, drafting and submitting the application and dealing with usual post-submission issues.

1. 4. Transfer of Premises Licence

We estimate the costs will be £300.00 (inclusive of VAT).

This covers the costs of preparing and submitting your application to the Council and all responsible authorities, including relevant consent forms.

1. 5. Change of Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) on Licence

We estimate the costs will be £300.00 (inclusive of VAT).

1. 6. Temporary Event Notice

We estimate the costs will be within the range of £360.00 - £600.00 (inclusive of VAT).

Depending on the nature and complexity of the matter.

1. 7. Personal Licence

We estimate the costs will be within the range of £300.00 (inclusive of VAT).

Additional Costs

Where an application is complex, objections or further issues arise, we will charge on the basis of the time spent at the appropriate hourly charging rate. Licensing applications are conducted by fee earners who hourly charging rate is between £275 to £400 including VAT, which varies depending on experience.

If objections are made to any applications then we will charge costs at our usual charging hourly rate but would expect fees to be in the following range:

£3,000.00 - £5,400.00 (inclusive of VAT)

The following instructions will incur further costs:

• - Meetings with Licensing Authority or other Responsible Authorities
• - Attendance at a Full Hearing at the Council

Should such work arise, we will provide a separate fee estimate for the proposed work.

Disbursements

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as the application fee. We will pay the disbursements on your behalf to ensure an easier process but they are payable by you. Typical disbursements and estimated costs for such matters as follows (inclusive of VAT):

• • application fee (payable to licensing authority) £95.00 to £635.00;
• • advertising fee £400.00 to £720.00;
• • special delivery fee to serve the application £20 - £50;
• • printing additional copies of plans if necessary £50-100;
• • Travel Expenses – we will charge £0.45 per mile.

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.

The fees do not include:

• • obtaining suitable plans – we would expect you to arrange this although we can assist;
• • attending pre-consultation meetings with the Licensing Authority or Responsible Authorities, nor their fee for this meeting; and
• • dealing with or advising you in relation to queries or representations received from either the responsible authorities or other interested parties.

How long will my application take?

Matters usually take 4 – 12 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. This could extend the period for between 12 – 24 weeks depending. We can progress the application as fast as possible though we are reliant on the speed of third parties, which is beyond our control.