What is a Club Premises Certificate

To authorise the supply of alcohol and regulated entertainment in a qualifying club based in Stafford Borough, you need a club premises certificate from the Licensing authority.

In a qualifying club there is technically no sale by retail of alcohol (except to guests) as the member owns part of the alcohol stock and the money passing across the bar is merely a mechanism to preserve equity between members where one may consume more than another. In order to constitute a qualifying club, you must also satisfy the various requirements set out in the Licensing Act 2003.

Definition of a Club

Clubs must be qualifying clubs (e.g. ex-services clubs, working men’s clubs or in some cases, miners’ welfare institutions) and must meet 5 general conditions as below:

• The club must have at least 25 members
• The club is established and conducted in good faith
• Alcohol is only supplied to members on the premises on behalf or by the club
• a person may not be given membership or as a candidate for membership to any membership privileges without an interval of at least two days from their membership application or nomination and their membership being granted
• persons becoming members without nomination or application cannot have membership privileges for at least two days between them becoming members and being admitted to the club.

Additional conditions in relation to the supply of alcohol must be complied with:

• that alcohol purchased for and supplied by the club is done by members of that club who are over 18 years of age and are elected to do so by the members.
• That no person at the expense of the club receives any commission, percentage or other similar payment in regard to the purchase of alcohol by the club.
• That there are no arrangements for anyone to receive a financial benefit from supplying alcohol, apart from any benefit to the club or to any person indirectly from the supply giving a gain from running the club.

How do I apply?

Please use the link below.

Applications should be submitted on the prescribed form, and accompanied by the following:

• The fee
• A plan of the premises
• A club operating schedule
• A copy of the club rules

A club operating schedule is a document which must be in a specific format and which includes information on the club activities, opening times, whether alcohol is consumed on or off the premises and any other information that demonstrates the club promotes the licensing objectives.

Apply for a new club premises certificate

Apply for a minor variation to your existing premises or club

Tell us about a change to your existing details or club rules

Tell us about a change to your existing club premises

Apply for a full variation of your Club Premises Certificate

Representations

Any interested party may make representations to the Council before the certificate is granted or before variations to a certificate are granted. If representations are made, a hearing will be held to consider the application and the representations.

An interested party is a person living near the premises or a person involved in a business near the premises (or a body representing either of these).

Still have questions?

If you have any further questions about Club Premises Certificates, please contact the Licensing Team on 01785 619745 or email ehlicensing@staffordbc.gov.uk