Variation of Premises Licences

This guidance relates to a full variation application to an existing premises licences under the Licensing Act 2003.

A variation application should be completed if you wish to:

• make major changes to the layout of the premises
• revise/add to the licensable activities and/or timings on the current licence (including the sale of alcohol)
• amending adding or removing conditions

There are some circumstances where a minor variation may be applicable. Contact the Licensing Team for further information.

Application forms can either be obtained from the Home Office website, via the Council's website www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk or by emailing the Licensing Team: [email protected].

Need more help?

The Council's Licensing Team may be able to help with general queries and advice on how to complete the application form.  You may also wish to consult other sources of advice such as a relevant trade body, or by engaging professional assistance, such as legal advice.

Documents

The following should be provided to the Licensing Team:

• the completed application form
• payment of the fee
• a plan showing all necessary requirements (if applicable)

Application form

Please refer to the notes on the application form for guidance on how to complete the application form.

Fees

The application fee payable will depend on the rateable value of the premises. 

Check the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) website to find out the current rateable value of the premises. The amount will fall into one of the following bandings:

For larger premises (band D and E) where they are exclusively or primarily in the business of selling alcohol for consumption on the premises, the following fees apply:

Plan requirements

If the variation relates to a change in layout of the plan, an amended plan showing the new proposed area should be submitted with the application. The plan of the premises needs to show the following:

• the extent of the boundary of the building, if relevant, and any external and internal walls of the building and, if different, the perimeter of the premises
• the location of points of access to and egress from the premises
• if different from above, the location of escape routes from the premises
• in a case where the premises is used for more than one existing licensable activity, the area within the premises used for each activity
• fixed structures (including furniture) or similar objects temporarily in a fixed location (but not furniture) which may impact on the ability of individuals on the premises to use exits or escape routes without impediment
• in a case where the premises include a stage or raised area, the location and height of each stage or area relative to the floor
• in a case where the premises include any steps, stairs, elevators or lifts, the location of the steps, stairs, elevators or lifts
• in a case where the premises include any room or rooms containing public conveniences, the location of the room or rooms
• the location and type of any fire safety and other safety equipment, including if applicable, marine safety equipment
• the location of a kitchen, if any, on the premises

Unless you have previously agreed with the Licensing Team that an alternative scale plan is acceptable, the plan should be drawn in standard scale, where 1 millimetre represents 100 millimetres. The plan may include a key of symbols to illustrate the above on the plan, but there is no requirement to do so. The licensable area of the premise should be outlined in red.

There is no requirement to have plans professionally drawn. What is important is that they are accurate and meet the requirements referred to above.

Processing and timescales

The consultation period is 28 days from receipt of a valid application. At the end of the 28 day period,  if no representations have been received in objection to the application, the premises licence will be issued as applied for. 

You may only carry out licensable activities once you have received notification of the application determination from the Licensing Team.

If non-negotiable relevant representations are received, a hearing will be held within 20 working days of the closing date for representations. The matter will be determined by the licensing sub-committee  (made up of Councillors).

Advertising the application

The application must be advertised in the following two ways:

1. By displaying a notice of the application prominently at or on the premises to which the application relates where it can be conveniently read by the public for a period of not less than 28 consecutive days starting on the day after the day on which the application was given to the Licensing Team. 

In the case of premises covering an area of more than fifty metres square, a further notice in the same form and subject to the same requirements must be displayed every fifty metres along the external perimeter of the premises abutting the highway. The notice must be:

• of a size equal or larger than A4
• of a pale blue colour
• printed legibly in black ink or typed in black in a font of a size equal to or larger than 16

A photo of the displayed notice should be emailed to the Licensing Team.

2. By arranging for the notice to be published in a local newspaper circulating in the vicinity of the premises on at least one occasion during the period of 10 working days starting on the day after the day the application was given to the Licensing Team.

Once you have arranged for the notice to be published in the newspaper, please advise the Licensing Team of the name of the newspaper and the date of publication. Please provide a copy of the published notice.

Responsible Authorities

If the application is submitted in paper form, you are required to give a copy of the application, including the accompanying documentation, to all the responsible authorities on the same day as the application is given to the Licensing Team. A list of responsible authorities is detailed at the end of this guidance.

Further Information

The completed application form and all other required documents should be sent to:

Licesing Team
Great Yarmouth Borough Council
Town Hall
Great Yarmouth
NR30 2QF

Alternatively, applications can be emailed provided they are in a clear and accessible format:

• email: [email protected] - this email can also be used to contact the Licensing Team for any other licensing queries
• telephone: 01493 846530

List of Responsible Authorities:

The Licensing Team

Great Yarmouth Borough Council
Town Hall
Great Yarmouth
NR30 2QF
Telephone: 01493 846530
Email: [email protected]

Norfolk Constabulary Licensing Team

Bethel Street Police Station
Bethel Street
Norwich
NR2 1NN
Telephone: 01603 276024 
Email: [email protected]

The Fire Authority

Group Manager
Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service
Fire Station
Friars Lane
Great Yarmouth
NR30 2RP
Telephone: 01493 339901
Email: [email protected]

Planning Authority

Planning and Development
Great Yarmouth Borough Council
Town Hall
Great Yarmouth
NR30 2QF
Telephone: 01493 846430
Email: [email protected]

Environmental Health

Environmental Services
Great Yarmouth Borough Council
Town Hall
Great Yarmouth,
NR30 2QF
Telephone: 01493 846478
Email: [email protected]

Trading Standards

Legal Process Unit
Trading Standards
County Hall
Martineau Lane
Norwich
NR1 2UD
Telephone: 0844 800 8013
Email: [email protected]

Child Protection

Norfolk Safeguarding Children Partnership
County Hall
Martineau Lane
Norwich
NR1 2DL
Telephone: 01603 223409
Email: [email protected]

Public Health

Public Health Director
Norfolk County Council
County Hall
Martineau Lane
Norwich
NR1 2DH
Telephone: 01603 638378
Email: [email protected]

Home Office

IE Licensing Compliance Team
2 Ruskin Square (Floor 6)
Dingwall Road
Croydon
CR0 2WF
Email: [email protected]