As the Licensing Authority for Cardiff, we authorise the sale or supply of alcohol, the provision of regulated entertainment and the provision of late night refreshment (provision of hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am) from premises.
The licence is valid whilst the premises is used for licensable activities and is subject to an annual fee. We will automatically send you an invoice for payment every year.
Apply online
- Application for a premises licence
- Application to vary a premises licence
- Application for a minor variation to a premises or club licence
- Application to transfer a premises licence
- Consent to transfer a premises licence
- Application to vary a premises licence to specify an individual as DPS
- Application for need for a DPS to be disapplied
- Request to be removed as a DPS
- Interim authority notice
- Provisional statement
- Notification of an interest in premises under section 178
- Make annual payment for a premises licence
- Notification of change of name or address
- Consent to be designated
Apply by post
- Premises licence application form
- Minor variations application form (60kb PDF)
- Provisional statement application form
- Premises licence holder consent to transfer
- Premises transfer application form
- Premises variation application form (PDF, 134 KB)
- Notification of interest in a premises licence
- Interim authority notice
- Variation of DPS application form
- DPS consent form
Please complete the relevant form(s) and return to us by post or in person:
Licensing,
Cardiff Council,
County Hall,
Atlantic Wharf,
Cardiff,
CF10 4UW
New or full variation application requirements
Along with the application form, you will need to include:
- a plan of the premises
- an operating schedule (a brief description of how the premises will be operated safely and in line with the four licensing objectives)
- the correct fee
- a form of consent from the Designated Premises Supervisor, if the application involves the supply of alcohol
If applying by post, the applicant must also serve a copy of the application (including any accompanying documents) to the responsible authorities on the same day that the application is submitted to the council's licensing section.
If applying online the licensing section will provide copies of your application to the responsible authorities.
How much will the licence cost?
Fees have been set by Central Government. The fees are based on the non-domestic rateable value (NDRV) of the premises. A full breakdown can be found in our Alcohol and entertainment licence fees and charges (PDF, 152 KB)
Premises that do not have a NDRV will be treated as falling into Band A for licensing fee purposes. Premises currently under construction and that have not yet been assessed by the VOA will be treated as falling into Band C.
We accept the following methods of payment:
- Debit card (by phone only - 029 20871651)
- Cheque (made payable to 'Cardiff Council')
- BACS:Sort Code 52-21-06 Acc No. 20408838Address: Natwest, 96 Queen Street, Cardiff, CF10 2GR.Please inform us of the reference number and date of payment if you are paying by BACS so that we can locate the payment.
What happens next?
The consultation period for grant/full variation applications is 28 days from receipt of the application. If no relevant representation is received within the consultation we will grant the licence.
Representations must relate to one or more of the licensing objectives, which are:
- prevention of crime and disorder
- prevention of public nuisance
- public safety
- protection of children from harm
If relevant representations are made about the application from responsible authorities or other persons, the council's Licensing Sub-Committee will examine the application and hold a hearing consisting within 20 days following the end of the consultation period. This may not be necessary if the applicant is able to reach an agreement with the objectors before the hearing.
If a hearing is held the licence can be granted or granted subject to additional conditions, licensable activities listed in the application can be excluded or the application can be rejected. We will send the decision to the applicant, along with any persons who made relevant representations and the chief of police.
Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS)
Any premises where alcohol is supplied under a premises licence must have a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) named on the Licence. They will be named in the operating schedule for any premises with a premises licence.
The DPS will not necessarily be the premises licence holder, although this may sometimes be the case. They will be the point of contact for the premises at all times for licensing authorities, or the police or fire services if problems occur at the premises.
If you would like any help or advice please contact us.
Shared Regulatory Services
Tel: 0300 123 6696. Please follow the options for Cardiff Licensing.
Cardiff Council Licensing
Tel: 029 2087 1651
Phone lines are open Monday to Friday 10am to 3pm.
