Personal licence course and premises licence in Southampton

To sell alcohol by retail in Southampton there needs to be a premises licence for the premises or location where the sales occur and a personal licence for the individual who makes those sales, or authorises other people to sell on his or her behalf.

On every premises licence there will be a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) named and this person must hold a personal licence. 

Pubs, shops or restaurants in Southampton will have a premises licence authorising the retail sales of alcohol and the person making those sales or authorising staff to sell for him or her will have a personal licence.

Every sale of alcohol by retail must be made by or authorised by a personal licence holder, so each premises with a premises licence requires at least one personal licence holder for the business.

An application for a personal licence requires the applicant first to gain the Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH) qualification in England and Wales.

How do I get my personal licence Southampton?

Personal licence applications in Southampton are normally made to the licensing authority where the applicant resides.

To apply for a personal licence in Southampton an applicant must submit: 

  • A completed application form
  • 2 photos, appropriately endorsed
  • Disclosure of Convictions(DBS) certificate
  • Disclosure of convictions and declaration form
  • The appropriate fee
  • A certificate of a relevant licensing qualification (such as the BIIAB APLH) 

For applicants that would prefer some assistance with their application, Licensing Solutions provides an application service for personal licences that involves us liaising with the applicant and the licensing authority throughout the process, securing the CRB/DBS certificate and completing and submitting all forms of application. 

Personal Licence Exam in Southampton

Licensing Solutions offer BIIAB personal licence online exams. Our online exams provide an instant result, free re-sit(s), and the opportunity to take your personal licence exam at home on your own laptop.

Some companies might still be offering the BIIAB APLH as a one day course but for the time being, especially in these uncertain times, we are only offering the personal licence online.

Our personal licence online at home APLH exam is ideal for anyone who cannot dedicate a full day and those in a hurry for their exam result (instant result) and certificate FAST TRACKED (around 3-5 days). 

Step 1 – Make your Personal Licence Course in Southampton online booking
Step 2 – You will receive your welcome email instantly which includes e-book and online presentation
Step 3 – Let us know when you are ready for your exam and we will set you up
Step 4 – Result provided instantly – no 5 day wait for your result 

How much does it cost?

£125+vat

This includes all revision material, unlimited free re-sits, exam fees and certificate.

There are no hidden extras. 

  • Take exam at home or workplace at ANY time of day (or night)
  • Results available immediately
  • Unlimited re-sits (if needed)
  • Certificate fast tracked and normally back at our office within 3 days
  • E-cert available within 24hrs
  • £125+vat 

What type of equipment do I need?

  • Laptop or desktop PC
  • Built in web camera (or standalone) – most laptops have them as standard
  • We can help you set the exam up should you have any issues 

What’s the exam like?

The BIIAB Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders consists of 40 multiple choice questions.

You must score at least 28 of the 40 questions correctly to pass the exam.

The qualification comprises of:

  • The roles, responsibilities and functions of licensing authorities within the framework of the licensing objectives
  • The application process for a personal licence
  • The role and legal responsibilities of the personal licence holder and the penalties relating to failure to comply with the law
  • The premises licence
  • The content and purpose of operating schedules
  • The role and duties of the designated premises supervisor
  • Unauthorised and temporary licensable activities
  • Rights of entry to licensed premises
  • Police powers with regard to suspension and closure of licensed premises
  • The specific prohibitions for the sale of alcohol
  • The strengths of alcoholic drinks, and the effects of alcohol on the human body
  • The protection of children from harm
  • The responsible retail sale of alcohol.

Assessment: 40 Multiple choice questions

How do I get my premises licence in Southampton?

A premises licence can be applied for by an individual who is 18 or over, a company that operates the business or an organisation such as a charity or educational institution. Once granted, the individual, company or organisation becomes the licence holder with responsibility for the legal operation of the premises.

Most sales of alcohol are sales of alcohol by retail, regardless of the amount of alcohol purchased, and all sales will therefore require a premises licence and a designated premises supervisor.

How do I apply for a premises licence in Southampton?

An Application for a premises licence is made to the licensing authority in the area where the premises are situated. The application itself consists of:

  • Application form (sent either by post or electronically)
  • Operating Schedule
  • DPS details and a signed consent form (if application is for sale of alcohol by retail)
  • Plan of the premises in a specific format
  • Document showing the applicant is entitled to work in the UK
  • Application fee

The premises licence application will then need to be advertised:

  • In the local newspaper; and
  • An A4-size notice displayed on or outside the premises

Premises Licence Application Service

Licensing Solutions provides a fixed-fee service for premises licence applications for the:

Grant of a new Premises Licence (£750+vat)
Full variation of an existing Premises Licence (£500+vat)
Prices exclude licensing disbursements

What does this cover?

  • Risk Assessment by an experienced consultant
  • Liaison with the applicant and the responsible authorities
  • Preparation, completion & submission of all forms of application including the Operating Schedule
  • Preparation of notice for posting at the premises and arrangement for publication in the local press
  • Negotiation with any concerned parties throughout the consultation period

What would be extra?

The cost of suitable layout plans to accompany the application (which we can arrange for you), the newspaper notice fee (usually around £200-£300), the licensing application fee (grant or full variation is usually £100 or £190) and representation at a licensing hearing (if there are stubborn objections that cannot be negotiated away).

What other applications will Licensing Solutions manage?

  • Minor variation of a premises licence
  • Transfer of a premises licence
  • Appointment of a new designated premises supervisor
  • Issue of temporary event notices
  • The grant of a personal licence 
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