Applying for a licence to sell alcohol in Scotland

HOW TO GET YOUR LICENCE IN SCOTLAND

Are you looking to gain a licence to sell alcohol in Scotland? Then you need to take a one day licensing law course for the Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (SCPLH) Level 5.

We hold regular liquor licensing courses throughout Scotland at Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness and Ayr.

Full details can be found on Scottish website: wwwpersonallicencescotland.com

The one day training course will give you an in-depth knowledge of the new Licensing Act for Scotland. At the end of the training day your are required to sit a simple 40 question multiple choice examination on the Licensing Act for Scotland.

Once you have achieved your examination and received your SCPLH certificate you will then need to apply to your local Licensing Board at your local council offices for your Scottish Licence to sell alcohol.

In Scotland you have to be a fit and proper person to hold a licence to sell or authorise the sell of alcohol from licensed premises, therefore the Police will be informed by the Licensing Board of your application and conduct a (PNC) Police National Computer check on each individual applying for a licence.

You will normally be contacted directly by the police and asked to attend an interview or in some cases you may be interview over the telephone mainly to ensure you have full knowledge of the Scottish Licensing Act and to discuss any concerns the Police may have.

Once the Police and Licensing Board are satisfied your Personal Licence will be granted.

Your Personal Licence is issued in two parts;

1. A photo-card licence, and;
2. A paper counterpart  

Notes for Applications for Personal Licences

1. A personal licence application or a personal licence renewal application must be in the statutory form and accompanied by;

(i) evidence that the applicant possesses a licensing qualification; and

(ii) two photographs of the applicant which comply with paragraph (2) and one of which has a statement on it in accordance with paragraph (3).

2. The two photographs of the applicant must;

(b) measure 45 millimetres by 35 millimetres;

(c) be on photographic paper;

(d) be taken against a light background; and

(e) show the full face of the applicant, without the applicant wearing sunglasses or any head covering (unless the applicant wears such a covering on account of a religious belief).

3.   One photograph of the applicant must have on the back of it a statement by a person appearing to the Licensing Board to be a person of standing in the community,  with the words “I certify that this is a true likeness of (name of applicant)”, followed by the full name of the person endorsing the photograph.

Once issued a Scottish personal licence is valid for 10 years, however under the Act you may have an obligation to re-train every 5 years as the Licensing Act may be reformed. 

A personal licence will allow you to sell and authorise the sale of liquor under a premises Liquor Licence. A personal licence will also allow the holder to apply to be a Premises Manager named as the main point of contact to all Responsible Authorities in a given area.

All staff working on licensed premises must also of had a minimum of 2 hours training on their responsibilities and duties when engaged in the sale of alcohol. This include staff working part time or full time, paid or un-paid. Details on staff training courses can be found at www.personallicencescotland.com

If you require further information please contact our Licensing Team on; 

0844 330 7435