You can apply for a minor variation to make small changes to your premises licence or club premises certificate without completing a full variation application.
Minor variations are made under the Licensing Act 2003.
Whether a variation is considered ‘minor’ depends on if it could affect any of the four licensing objectives:
- prevention of crime and disorder
- public safety
- prevention of public nuisance
- protection of children from harm
What you can change with a minor variation
You can use a minor variation for small changes such as:
- minor changes to the structure or layout of your premises
- small changes to licensing hours (not for alcohol sales – see below)
- revising, removing or adding conditions, for example:
- removing conditions that are out of date, irrelevant, or unenforceable
- adding new, volunteered conditions
What you cannot change
You cannot use a minor variation to:
- extend licensing hours for selling or supplying alcohol between 11pm and 7am
- increase the time alcohol can be sold on any day
- extend the duration of the licence or certificate
- transfer a licence or certificate to another premises
- make major structural changes to the premises
- specify a new Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS)
- add alcohol sales to a licence that does not already allow it
- remove mandatory conditions relating to a DPS
For major variations that impact the 4 licensing objective, you’ll need to apply for a full variation.
Documents you need
You must upload the following documents with your application:
- current plan of the premises
- new plan of the premises (if the layout is changing)
- photos of your white notice (we’ll request these after you’ve submitted your application)
- a copy of the existing premises or club licence
If you do not provide all the required documents, your application will be rejected.
Cost
The application fee is £89.
How to pay
- Go to the payment portal
- Choose Licensing from the All categories drop-down menu
- Select Apply
- Choose Premises Licence – Variation / Amendment / Copy
- Make your payment
Note your receipt reference – you’ll need it when completing your form
Apply online
You can apply online using the Minor variation application form.
What happens next
When we receive your application, we’ll share it with:
- Environmental Health
- Environmental Protection
- Trading Standards
- Planning
- Home Office
- Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
- Greater Manchester Police
These services have 10 working days (from the day they’re notified) to make any representations.
If there are no representations, your application will be granted, and we’ll send you the amended licence.