Any individual may apply for a personal licence whether or not they are currently employed or have business interests associated with the use of the licence.
The licence authorises the specified person to supply alcohol or allow the supply of alcohol, in accordance with a premises licence. Such personal licences are valid for 10 years, and will be ‘portable’ between premises. They will not come into effect until the second appointed day, which is 24th November 2005. Applications for a personal licence must be made to the Council for the area in which the applicant lives.
Who can apply?
To qualify for a personal licence applicants must:-
- Be over 18
- Not have any of the relevant convictions outlined in the Act.
- Possess an approved licensing qualification, is a person of a prescribed description or holds a Justices licence.
A person of ‘prescribed description’ is:-
- A member of the company of the Masters, Wardens, Freeman and Commonalty of the Vinters in the City of London.
- A person operating under a licence granted by the University of Cambridge.
- A person operating premises under a licence granted by the Board of the Green Cloth.
New Licence Applications
For new applications for a personal licence the following will need to be supplied to Torbay Council:
- Completed application form
- Two photographs of the applicant, one of which is endorsed as a true likeness of the applicant by a solicitor or notary, a person of standing in the community or any individual with a professional qualification (similar to when applying for a passport).
- A licensing qualification is held from an approved body or proof that the applicant is of prescribed description.
- A criminal conviction certificate or a criminal record certificate or the results of a subject access search of the police national computer by the National Intelligence Service. This must be no more than one month old.
- A completed ‘disclosure of criminal convictions and declaration form’.
- The fee (see fee document).
- Also the applicant must not have forfeited a personal licence in the previous five years.
The police will be able to object to any personal licence on the grounds of crime prevention if the person has a relevant criminal conviction. In which case, a hearing will be held by Torbay Council’s licensing sub-committee, and a decision made. Torbay Licensing team has a legal responsibility to notify the Police if there are any ‘relevant’ convictions.
Any change of name or address of a personal licence holder must be notified to the licensing section of Torbay Council. Please be aware that it is an offence not to do so. This is done by
- Sending a letter notifying Torbay Council of the details of the change
- Enclosing the fee (see fee document).
The Application form for a Personal Licence, Form C ‘Application for a Personal Licence’ and Form S ‘Disclosure of criminal convictions and declarations form’ are available from the Related Tasks.
Important Information On Personal Licences
Details of those bodies which are accredited to award licensing qualifications are available on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport website. Details of the BIIAB qualification can be found on their website (see right hand column), or alternatively you may wish to contact them on Tel 01276 684449. Enquiries about the GOAL qualification can be made to customerservice@ediplc.com, or telephone 08707 202909.
Licence Renewals
Related Documents
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Contact Licensing & Public Protection
- Tel: 01803 208025
- Email: licensing@torbay.gov.uk
- Fax: 01803 208854


Personal Licence Guide