Our expertise and service

We are able to assist businesses in applying for a variety of licences under sections 17 and 34 of the Licensing Act 2003 including:

  • New premises licence or to vary and existing premises licence:
  • New pavement licence or to vary an existing pavement licence.

We can also assist with objection representations in relation to proposed licence applications including legal representation as Sub-Committee meetings on your behalf.

Kerry Watson is our specialist in relation to this area of work. Details of her qualifications and experience can be seen by clicking here.

Below we set out the likely fees and expenses, details of the process and timescales for both new and variation applications. However, we would encourage you to telephone and ask to speak to Kerry Watson, without any obligation for you to instruct us, so you can feel confident the information you are given is accurate and tailored to your business needs.

What are the legal fees likely to cost?

We offer a fixed fee for both straightforward new applications and variation applications but would encourage any prospective business clients to speak to Kerry Watson as soon as possible so she can find out the details and advise whether the proposed application will fall within the fixed fees shown.

  • New premises application: from £1,500 plus VAT (but excluding expenses);
  • Variation application: from £750 plus VAT (but excluding expenses);
  • New pavement licence application: from £1,000 plus VAT (but excluding expenses);
  • Variation of pavement licence application: from £750 plus VAT (but excluding expenses).

Expenses (sometimes called disbursements) are charges related to your matter that are payable to third parties (not Bower Bailey), such as the application fee. We handle the payment of these expenses on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. They will be:

  • Application fee (payable to licensing authority): ranging from £100 to £1,905, depending on the rateable value of your premises.
  • Advertising fee: £200 plus VAT (estimate).

If it appears the application may be complex, for instance if there is a cumulative impact policy in place, or due to the type and size of the premises, or if the premises are a residential area our fees may be more than those shown above. They will be based on Kerry Watson’s hourly rate of £200 plus VAT. However, we will not increase our fees without providing you with an estimate and agreeing them in advance.

What work does the fee include?

Our fee includes:

  • Taking your instructions and advising you as to how you can promote the licensing objectives within your application;
  • Advising you as the type of plans you are required to submit with your application and ensuring the same fulfil licensing requirements;
  • Completing the application form for a new premises licence (including the operating schedule) in accordance with your instructions and submitting this to the local licensing authority alongside suitable plans.
  • You must provide suitable plans.
  • Providing guidance on the fee levels payable to the licensing authority;
  • Preparing copies of the premises licence application for disclosure to the responsible authorities and serving copies of the application on the responsible authorities;
  • Drafting the notices advertising the premises licence application and submitting the notice to the local newspaper;
  • Arranging with you for you to display the notice(s) advertising the premises licence application and advising as to where and how this should be done by you in order to comply with the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003;
  • Providing a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) consent form for signature by the personal licence holder you propose;
  • Checking the licence once granted and correcting any errors with the licensing authority.

The fee does not include:

  • Our costs for verifying your identity which are £40 plus VAT;
  • Obtaining suitable plans.We can assist in the preparation of suitable plans for an additional fee which can be discussed;
  • Attending pre-consultation meetings with the Licensing Authority or Responsible Authorities, nor their fee for this meeting;
  • Dealing with or advising you in relation to queries or representations received from either the responsible authorities or other interested parties;
  • Advising on varying the licence;
  • Attendance and representation at a licensing sub-committee hearing of the responsible authority. If representations are received and attendance and representation at a licensing sub-committee is required then we will provide a separate fee estimate for this work which will be charged at our hourly rate.

How long will my application take?

Matters usually take 4 – 12 weeks from receipt of full instructions from you. This is on the basis of the application being relatively straightforward and you being able to provide all the necessary documents promptly. If your matter is more complex, for example, if there is substantial opposition from interested parties, or if there is a delay in receiving the documents we need, it may take longer.