You may need to change your premises licence if the way your business operates is changing. Depending on what you want to do, you can apply for either:
- a full variation – for major changes
- a minor variation - for small, low‑risk changes
Full variation
A full variation is required for significant changes to your premises licence.
This includes:
- Changing permitted activity hours
- Adding new licensable activities
- Changing, adding or removing licence conditions
- Altering the layout of the premises shown on your plan
Apply
Apply for a full variation
You can also refer to the revised guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003.
What you need to provide
You must upload a plan of the premises if your application involves internal layout changes.
Fees
Processing times
- The consultation period lasts 28 days from the date we receive a valid application.
- If no representations are made, the variation will be granted.
- If representations are received, a hearing will be held within 20 working days of the consultation closing.
A licensing sub‑committee (elected councillors) will make the final decision.
Minor variation
A minor variation is for small changes that do not impact the licensing objectives.
You can use this process for:
- Small structural or layout changes
- Adding late‑night refreshment or regulated entertainment (e.g. plays, films)
- Small changes to licensing hours (not related to alcohol)
- Updating, removing or adding licence conditions
When you cannot use a minor variation
A minor variation cannot be used to:
- Add the sale or supply of alcohol to a licence
- Extend alcohol sales between 11pm and 7am
- Increase the hours alcohol can be sold on any day
- Extend the duration of a licence
- Transfer a licence to a different premises
- Appoint a designated premises supervisor (DPS)
- Remove the mandatory DPS requirement (community premises have a separate process)
Apply
Guidance notes are available via the online application form (you can also refer to the revised guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003):
Apply for a minor variation
What you need to provide
You must upload a plan of the premises if you are making changes to the internal layout.
Fees
The fee for a minor variation is £89, payable online by debit or credit card when you submit your application.
Processing times
Applications have a 10 working day consultation period.
If no representations are received, the minor variation will be granted.
Get in touch with the Licensing team
