You or your agent, must:

• Complete the application form
• Complete an operating schedule
• Submit a scaled floor plan of the premises and include all of the required information (if the variation results in a structural change at the premises e.g. new layout, removal of walls etc. 
• Make the payment for the application

Applications must take into account the four licensing objectives and promote them. 

These objectives are:

• The prevention of crime and disorder
• Public Safety
• The prevention of public nuisance
• The protection of children from harm

See our Premises operating conditions for more information about the objectives and how you can promote them.

Also see our Statement of Licensing Policy.

Apply for a variation to a premises licence.

You can email your application and plan(s) to licensing@southsomerset.gov.uk. If you submit your application via email the payment can be made over the phone. You will receive a call take the payment when the application is accepted. 

If your variation involves a change to the layout of the premises, you will need to submit a new plan with your application. 

Use our guidance document which explains what needs to be shown on the plan. 

We will review your application and will contact you we need any extra information. 

If no more information is needed from you, then a copy of the application will be sent to the relevant authorities for consultation.

If your application was not submitted online, you must also give a copy of the application form and plan (if appropriate) to the relevant responsible authorities e.g. the chief police officer and the fire and rescue authority. The addresses for the responsible authorities can be found here.

We recommend that you contact us before displaying the statutory notice(s) or advertising your application in a local paper. This is to make sure that the correct consultation date will be given and, therefore, avoid any errors and any potential breaches that would result in your application being rejected or delayed or having to re-advertise your application both at the premises and in the newspaper.

The notice needs to be visible from the outside of the premises the following working day from when an application is submitted and accepted. It needs to remain visible for 28 days. If the extent of your premises is larger than 50 metres square, a further notice needs to be displayed every 50 metres along the external perimeter of the premises abutting any highway.

Find information about the requirements for advertising applications. 

Use a template for the notice which has to be displayed at the premises. This notice must be on pale blue paper. 

Use a template for the notice which has to be published in a local newspaper.

Yes. This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from us by the end of the target completion date. This date is 35 days after the Council and the responsible authorities have received your valid application.

An 'Other' party or responsible authority can apply to review a premises licence. If this application is made, we will normally hold a hearing.

In certain situations, the chief police officer can request from us a summary review of a licence. For example, if a premises is licensed to sell alcohol by retail and a senior officer has given a certificate that they believe that the premises is associated with either serious crime or disorder.

The responsible authorities (Police, Fire Authority, Planning, Health and Safety, Environmental Health, Trading Standards, Public Health, Licensing, Home Office and Social Services) and members of the public can submit representations.

Representations can be in support or against an application and must be based on one or more of the four licensing objectives.

We can only consider representations to do with the part(s) of the licence which is being varied. 

If representations are made to your application we will contact you to let you know.

It is likely that a hearing will be held and the licence will be determined by the Licensing sub-Committee. The applicant and body or person(s) who made representations will be invited to the hearing and will have the opportunity to speak to the committee.

Visit the Government website for more information on premises licences and alcohol licensing.