Alderson Law

Licensing Pricing

We provide licensing services including applications for new premises licences and variations of existing licences under the Licensing Act 2003.

We offer services based on both fixed fees and fees charged on an hourly rate. The fee structure applying to your case will depend upon the work you require us to carry out and the circumstances involved. Licensing applications can vary considerably in complexity usually classed as simple, medium or high complexity. This may depend on factors such as to whether an application is either for a full licence or for a variation and whether it is granted without any representations or objections. Some representations or objections may be withdrawn during the application process or it may be necessary to go to a hearing before a licensing committee. Factors affecting complexity may include whether there is a cumulative impact policy in place, the type and size of the premises, or whether it is in a residential area. High complexity applications may also include large scale public events.

DIFFERENT LEVELS OF SERVICE

Simple application granted without representations/objections
This may involve the following work – taking instructions, advising on how the licensing objectives can be promoted within a premises licence application, advising on the type of plans required to accompany an application, completing and submitting the application, disclosing the application to the responsible authorities, making arrangements for the necessary advertising of the application, preparation and submission of the licence application. Dealing with local authority and advising on progress and issue of the licence documentation

Estimated costs £1200 plus VAT (£1440 inc VAT).

Application subject to representations/objections

This may involve all of the above work plus advice on preparation for and representation (if required) at a hearing before a licensing committee which could last up to one day. The fees involved will depend upon each individual case and the complexity of the issues involved.

Estimated costs range from £2500 to £5000 (£3000 to £6000 inc VAT).

The above fees are intended to be provided as a guide only and are based upon the usual procedures applying for a routine licensing application. They do not include any specific pre-application advice, dealing with or advising in relation to queries or representations received from either the responsible authorities or other interested parties, advising on varying the licence, site visits, travel time, fees for preparing or reviewing prepared plans/experts reports or licensing qualifications or Counsels fees.
Additional disbursements will apply as detailed below and as regards the application fees and for the placing of the required advertising notice.

We will endeavour to give you the best indication we can of the likely fees to be incurred from the outset of the case however these may very depending on the complexity, progress and issues in the case. Where possible revised costs estimates will be given at the earliest opportunity.

Licensing work is carried out by the Partners in our practice. The currently hourly rate charged is £220 per hour plus vat (£264 inc VAT).

Disbursements:

a} Statutory Licensing Application fees – These depend on the premises for which the licence/variation is sought and are charged in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003 (Fees) Regulations 2005. These range from £100 to £635 (£120 to  £762 inc VAT) and relate to the non-domestic rateable value for the premises. Additional charges apply to certain premises where they are used exclusively or primarily for the sale of alcohol and where capacity exceeds 5000 persons.
b) Advertising of statutory notices in local publications fees – These depend on the notice wording and in which publication they are to appear. There is no fixed price or fees for these.

How Long with the Process Take?

It is difficult to provide a precise timescale. After submission of the application for the licence or variation there will be a 28 day consultation period. During this period the application must be advertised in a local newspaper and on the premises by a statutory notice. At the end of the consultation period if there are no representations or objections then the application will be assumed granted. If representations/objections are received then the application will proceed to a hearing which should take place within 20 working days. If the representations/objections are withdrawn for example by an agreement being reached with the applicant and the other party involved then the hearing may no longer be required and the licence granted.

Who will be handling my Case?

Most of our licensing cases are dealt with by Tracey Murray who is a Solicitor and Partner in the Firm. Tracey is a Graduate of the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and has been qualified as a Solicitor since 1997.