Before you apply
A club premises certificate is required for any qualifying club that supplies alcohol, provides regulated entertainment or late night refreshment under the Licensing Act 2003.
This applies to private member's clubs such as:
- working men's clubs
- political clubs
- sports clubs
- social clubs
Visit GOV.UK Entertainment Licensing guidance.
Qualifying clubs and activities
To be a qualifying club, you must satisfy the various requirements set out in the Licensing Act 2003:
- there must be at least 2 days between a member's nomination or application for membership and their admission
- there must be at least 25 members
- the club must be established and conducted in 'good faith' (this involves consideration of details such as club finances)
Qualifying club activities are defined as the:
- supply of alcohol by or on behalf of a club to a member of a club
- sale of alcohol by retail or on behalf of a club to a guest of a member for consumption on the premises
- provision of regulated entertainment by or on behalf of a club for its members and guests
A qualifying club must meet the following conditions:
- it has premises that are occupied and used regularly for club purposes
- only someone over the age of 18, and elected to do so, can purchase and serve alcohol
- there is no arrangement for anyone to benefit financially by buying and selling alcohol
For more information, visit GOV.UK Club premises certificate guidance.