Alcohol and entertainment

The Licensing Act 2003 came into force on 6 February 2005. It made changes to the licensing arrangements for the sale of alcohol and the provision of entertainment.

Whereas previously an application to sell alcohol would be heard by the local magistrates' court, the local licensing authority is now the appropriate local council. For the city of Salford the authority is therefore this council.

If you are a local resident or business and wish to make a representation about an advertised licensing application or register a complaint about an existing establishment, additional information is available by following the highlighted links above.

Licence applications

• Apply for a personal licence
• Apply for a premises licence
• Request a replacement personal licence

Pre-application licensing advice Licensing act 2003

Although the city council has a duty to administer applications, that duty does not extend to the provision of pre submission advice and assistance to the applicant.

Since 1 July 2014 we can provide for a fee, pre-application advice for certain licensing applications.

If you want to make a new application for a premises licence or an application to vary an existing premises licence you can take advantage of this service.

Pre-application advice and assistance can include:

• advice and assistance with completing the application forms including (not exhaustive)
• advice on appropriate conditions taken from the pool of standard conditions outlined in the council's adopted policy statement or consultation with other responsible authorities
• advice on drawing up plans to accompany the application in accordance with the relevant regulations
• advice on nominating an appropriate designated premises supervisor
• assistance with completing the statutory notices and adverting
• on-site visit(s) to ensure plans are compliant with prescribed regulations

What are the fees?

Small scale applications

The discretionary charge for pre-application advice is based on officer time, but will be a maximum of £78.50. Please enquire at the licensing office for more details.

Small scale applications would normally consist of applications relating to premises that occupy a relatively small floor area or premises where the proposed licensable activities will largely be ancillary to the operation of the premises, for example, independent supermarkets, food led restaurants or beauty salons.

Medium to large scale applications

The discretionary charge for pre-application advice is based on officer time, but will be a maximum of £109.50. Please enquire at the licensing office for more details.

Medium to large scale applications would be any other premises that occupy a large premises or where licensable activities will form part of the primary operation of the premises.

Fee exemptions

Exemptions will apply in certain circumstances for educational institutes, buildings used for religious purposes, village and community halls and non profit making charities.

Advice for minor variations and temporary event notices will still be free.

If you would like to take advantage of pre-application advice, please contact the licensing office.

Further information

• Department for culture, media and sport
• British Institute of Innkeeping
• Gambling Commission

Who to contact

Name

Licensing Services

Address

Salford Civic Centre
Chorley Road
Swinton
Salford
M27 5AW
Map to this location

Email

licensing@salford.gov.uk

This page was last updated on 8 November 2023