Club Premises Certificate
Traditionally, "registered members clubs" are organisations where members have joined together for particular social, sporting or political purposes and are not generally open to the public. They commonly include Labour, Conservative and Liberal Clubs, the Royal British Legion, other ex-services clubs, working men’s clubs, social and sports clubs. The members of the club as a whole buy alcohol in bulk and then supply it to individual members (or their guests).
A Club Premises Certificate may be applied for in respect of premises that will allow the premises to be used for various activities, including the supply of alcohol and regulated entertainment.
The arrangements for applying for club premises certificates are similar to those in respect of Premises Licences and similar provisions apply regarding the advertising applications and the making of representations to the licensing authority.
The Act provides that a new certificate or an application to vary a converted certificate will be granted unless a relevant representation about that application is made by an interested party (a resident or business) or a responsible authority (for example the Police or Fire Authority).
If a representation is made about an application and the matter cannot be resolved by negotiation, a sub-committee of Lancaster City Council’s Licensing Act Committee will hold a hearing where the application and the representation(s) will be heard and a decision made as to whether the application should be granted, modified or rejected. After the hearing, reasons for the decision will be given.
A Club Premises Certificate is granted for the life of the club and is not periodically renewable but if there are problems with a Club Premises Certificate there can be a review.
Further information can be found on the Club Premises Fact Sheet.