If you want to sell alcohol, provide entertainment, or serve hot food and drink late at night in Trafford, you may need a licence under the Licensing Act 2003.
Licensing objectives
All decisions about licences must support the four licensing objectives:
- prevention of crime and disorder
- public safety
- prevention of public nuisance
- protection of children from harm
When you apply for a licence, you must show how your business or event will promote these objectives.
When you need a licence
You usually need a licence if you plan to:
- sell alcohol to the public
- provide entertainment such as live or recorded music, plays, films or indoor sports
- serve hot food or drink to the public between 11pm and 5am
Licence types
Sell alcohol, provide entertainment or late night refreshments
- Premises licence: for businesses that want to sell alcohol, provide entertainment, or serve hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am.
- Club premises certificate: for qualifying clubs that sell alcohol to members or provide entertainment.
Hold a one-off event
- Temporary Event Notice (TEN): for small, one-off or occasional events involving alcohol, entertainment or late-night refreshment.
Serve alcohol as an individual
- Personal alcohol licence: for individuals who want to authorise alcohol sales or act as a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS).
Make a change to an existing licence
- Minor variation: for small changes to an existing premises or club licence, such as layout adjustments or slight changes to opening hours.
- Full variation: for major changes to an existing premises or club licence, that impact the four licensing objects such as extending licensable hours.
- Transfer or change the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS): for changing licence holders or the person responsible for alcohol sales.
Other activities that need authorisation
- Hypnotism authorisation: for any public performance involving hypnotism, mesmerism or similar acts.
- Sex establishment licence: for running a sex shop, sex cinema or sexual entertainment venue.
Exemptions
Some activities do not need a licence under the Licensing Act 2003.
Music entertainment
Entertainment Licensing on GOV.UK have guidance on exemptions for live and recorded music.
Places of worship
Churches and other places of worship do not need a licence for activities that would otherwise be classed as regulated entertainment.
Garden fêtes
Entertainment provided at a garden fête or similar event is not regulated entertainment and does not require a licence.