2. When you need to apply for an alcohol special licence and what you need

You should know

Holidays can cause confusion at the end of the year.

You still need to apply for an alcohol special licence at least 20 working days before your event. Under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act, the days between 20 December 2023 and 15 January 2024 are not working days.

This means if your event is due to take place between 18 December 2023 and 16 January 2024, you need to apply for your licence by Tuesday 21 November 2023.

If you do not apply on time, you must explain why on the application form. The District Licensing Committee will then decide whether to accept your application.

If your event is due to take place between 17 January 2024 and 15 February 2024, you need to carefully calculate the latest date for filing your licence application.

It will be in either November or December.

You need to apply for a special licence at least 20 working days before your event, not including the day we receive the application and the day of your event.

If you submit your application less than 20 working days before your event, you need to include a reason why you did not know you needed a special licence earlier.

What you need

Details of the type of event you are having and days and hours you are selling alcohol.
The number of people you expect to attend the event.
How you will promote responsible drinking (an alcohol management plan) for events of more than 400 people - visit Write a host responsibility policy.
Completed application form.
A copy of the site layout or area and marquees if the event is outside.
A copy of the floor plans highlighting restricted or supervised areas and the main entrance.
An application for landlord consent if it is a council-owned building, facility or land.