Two licences, not one
Restaurant, Pub & Hospitality Setup in the United Kingdom
Selling alcohol in the UK needs two different licences held by two different parties. Most people know of one.
GCC business setup specialists
A premises licence is not enough on its own
To sell alcohol you need a premises licence for the location, and a named individual holding a personal licence who is designated as the premises supervisor. One without the other does not permit sales. Add food business registration with the local authority before you open, planning permission for the use, and a hygiene rating that will be published whether you like it or not, and the licensing workload is front-loaded.
- Both alcohol licences addressed, not just the premises one
- Food registration and planning handled before opening
- Hygiene rating preparation taken seriously from the start
20+
Mainland, free zone and offshore jurisdictions we file in — so the recommendation is based on your activity, not on which authority we happen to be registered with.
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Companies successfully established.
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What you need
Approvals for a UK hospitality business
Several bodies, mostly local.
| Requirement | Who grants it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Premises licence | Local licensing authority | For the location, with conditions |
| Personal licence | Local authority | Held by an individual, for alcohol sales |
| Designated premises supervisor | Named on the premises licence | Must hold a personal licence |
| Food business registration | Local authority | Before you open; no fee |
| Planning permission | Local planning authority | Use class must permit the activity |
| Music licensing | Licensing bodies | For recorded or live music |
Licensing conditions, food registration requirements, planning use classes and hygiene rating schemes are administered locally and vary between authorities. Yours are checked for your specific premises.
How it works
From site to opening
Planning and licensing before fit-out.
01
Check the site
Whether the use class and planning position permit your concept, and whether the premises can be licensed for the hours you want.
02
Licence and register
Premises licence applied for, a designated premises supervisor with a personal licence put in place, and food business registration completed before opening.
03
Prepare and open
Food safety management documented ahead of inspection, payroll and VAT set up and the hygiene rating prepared for rather than hoped for.
- The concept and food offering
- Covers planned
- Site identified and its current use class
- Whether alcohol will be sold
- Who will hold the personal licence
- Intended opening hours, including late hours
- Whether live or recorded music is planned
- Whether outdoor seating is wanted
- Whether any works or change of use is needed
- Kitchen layout and extraction plan
- Workforce numbers
- Target opening date
Scope
What is included, and what is not
Stated plainly, so nothing is added once the engagement starts.
Included in the service fee
- Use class and planning position review
- Premises licence application support
- Guidance on the personal licence and supervisor requirement
- Food business registration
- Food safety management documentation guidance
- Company formation and VAT registration
- Payroll and employer registrations
- Guidance on music and other ancillary licences
Not included, quoted separately
- Licence and application fees, paid at cost
- Premises rent, purchase and fit-out
- Planning applications by a consultant
- Kitchen equipment and extraction works
- Personal licence training and qualification costs
- Music licensing fees
- Representation at a licensing hearing
- Audit and accounts preparation
Verify independently
Relevant UK authorities
We file directly with these bodies on your behalf.
HM Revenue & CustomsCompanies HouseLocal authority licensing and planningEnvironment AgencyInsolvency ServiceOffice for Product Safety and Standards
Questions
UK hospitality setup — FAQs
Do I need one alcohol licence or two?
Two. A premises licence for the location, and a personal licence held by the individual designated as premises supervisor. Neither works without the other.
When must I register the food business?
With the local authority before you open, within the period required. Registration itself is free, and operating without it is an offence.
Will my hygiene rating be published?
Yes, and it affects trade directly. Preparing the food safety management documentation before the first inspection is the single best thing you can do about it.
Can I object or be objected to on licensing?
Licensing applications can attract representations from residents and responsible authorities, which may add conditions or a hearing. We factor that into the timeline.
Does the premises need planning permission?
The use class must permit the activity. A change of use may be required and is not automatic, so confirm it before signing a lease.
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More United Kingdom services
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