The sale and supply of alcohol, because of its impact on the wider community and on crime and anti-social behaviour, carries with it greater responsibility than the provision of regulated entertainment and late night refreshment. This is why sales of alcohol may not be made under a Premises Licence unless there is a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) in respect of the premises (who must hold a Personal Licence).
Any premises at which alcohol is sold or supplied where the requirement for a Personal Licence holder does apply may employ one or more such licence holders. For example, there may be one owner or Senior Manager and several Junior Managers holding a Personal Licence. However, the requirement that every sale of alcohol must at least be authorised by a Personal Licence holder does not mean that the licence holder has to be present on the premises or oversee each sale; it is sufficient that such sales are authorised.
How to apply for a Personal Licence
All applicants for a Personal Licence must:
- be over 18
- hold a relevant licensing qualification
- provide a criminal record check that is no more than 1 month old
- provide two passport sized photographs (One must be endorsed as a true likeness by a Solicitor or a person of standing in the community)
- submit a correctly completed application form
- provide a disclosure of convictions and declaration
- submit right to work/immigration status documentation
- apply to the Licensing Authority (Council) in whose area you normally reside.
Your licence will be issued within one month of acceptance of a complete application, including the fee.
'Right to Work' Documentation/Check
Individuals applying for a Personal Licence must be entitled to work in the UK. The Immigration Act 2016 amended the Licensing Act 2003 with effect from the 6th April 2017 so that an application made on or after that date by someone who is not entitled to work in the UK must be rejected. This is to prevent illegal working in the UK.
A Personal Licence may not be issued to an individual in a partnership, which is not a limited liability partnership, who is resident in the UK who:
- does not have the right to live and work in the UK: or
- is subject to a condition preventing him or her from doing work relating to the carrying on of a licensable activity.
A Personal Licence holder issued in respect of an application made on or after 6th April 2017 will become invalid if the holder ceases to be entitled to work.
Applicants must demonstrate that they have the right to work in the UK and are not subject to a condition preventing them from doing work relating to the carrying on of a licensable activity. They can do this in one of two ways:
- By providing with their application form, copies or scanned copies of the documents, which an applicant may provide to demonstrate their entitlement to work in the UK ( the copies do not need to be certified) Home Office Right to Work List
- By providing their 'share code' to enable the Licensing Authority to carry out a check using the Home Office on line right to work checking service (see below).
As an alternative to providing a copy of original documents, applicants may demonstrate their right to work by allowing the Licensing Authority to carry out a check with the Home Office online right to work checking service.
To demonstrate their right to work via the Home Office online right to work checking service, applicants should include in this application their 9-digit share code (provided to them upon accessing the service at) Right to work online 'share code' which, along with the applicant’s date of birth (provided within this application), will allow the Licensing Authority to carry out the check.
To establish the applicant’s right to work, the check will need to indicate that the applicant is allowed to work in the United Kingdom and is not subject to a condition preventing them from doing work relating to the carrying on of a licensable activity.
An online check will not be possible in all circumstances because not all applicants will have an immigration status that can be shared digitally. The Home Office online right to work checking service sets out what information and/or documentation applicants will need to access the service. Applicants who are unable to obtain a share code from the service should submit copy documents as set out above.
Your right to work will be checked as part of your licensing application and this could involve us checking your immigration status with the Home Office. We may otherwise share information with the Home Office. Your licence application will not be determined until you have complied with this guidance.
Requirements of Application
New Applicants need to apply online for a Basic Disclosure Certificate from the Basic DBS Checks
If you need support to apply online, call the DBS helpline on 03000 200 190, select option 2 and then option 1.
Your disclosure is only valid for one month from the date that the disclosure was issued by Disclosure and Barring Service.
Photograph advice and who can endorse
Two photographs must be submitted, which:
- contrast against the background
- measure 45mm x 35mm (passport size)
- show the full face uncovered and without sunglasses and, unless the applicant wears a head covering due to their religious beliefs, without a head covering.
One of the photos must be endorsed* as a true likeness of the applicant by a Solicitor or Notary, Professional Person, or a person of standing in the community. Please see Guide to Photographs and Endorsement for Personal Licence Applications
Licensing Qualification
Before you apply for a Personal Licence, you must obtain an accredited qualification.
The aim of the qualification is to ensure that licence holders are aware of licensing law and the wider social responsibilities involved in the sale of alcohol.
List of accredited personal licence qualification providers
How to apply
You MUST apply to the Licensing Authority (Council) whose area you normally reside in, not where you are likely to be working.
You must complete the Personal Licence application form and Personal Disclosure Form.
The forms can be found here:
Application Form for Personal Licence
Disclosure of Convictions and Civil Penalties Declaration
Your Personal Licence application form, Disclosure of Convictions Form, ORIGINAL licensing qualification certificate, ORIGNAL basic DBS Certificate and two passport photographs (one endorsed of true likeness) can be posted to:
Licensing, Town Hall, Bank Road, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3NN
Alternatively, you can email the application, and Disclosure of Convictions Form to
Licensing fee
The fee for the Personal Licence is found here Licensing Fees with Cash Codes 2024 -2025
To make the payment when submitting the application, please call 01629 761166. You will need to confirm that you are applying for a Personal Licence, give your name, premises name, quote the relevant cash code stated on the fees and charges list (the 4 digit number to the right of the fee charge, under the heading 'cost code').
What happens if there are any objections to my application?
The Chief Officer of Police may object if you have a conviction for a relevant offence Relevant Offences for Personal Licence Holder
They may also object if they consider the granting of a personal licence would undermine the Crime Prevention objective.
If an objection is received the Council must hold a hearing, you will be notified of the date, time, and location.
If no objection is received your licence will be granted and it will be sent to the address, you have supplied on your application form.
Decision made
Once the Council has received all of your documentation, and the fee, we will use these to determine your fitness and suitability to be issued with a Personal Licence.
If your application has been unsuccessful, you will be advised by letter to the address on your application, giving reasons why.
A licence can take up to one month to be issued.
Renewal
Personal Licences NO longer need to be renewed after a 10-year period. All Personal Licences granted will last for an indefinite period. Your licence is valid indefinitely, unless it is:
- surrendered by yourself
- suspended, revoked, or declared forfeit by a court
- time limited due to Right to Work documentation
The responsibility is still upon the Personal Licence holder to inform the council of any changes to the licence i.e. Change of address or convictions for a relevant offence.
Changes to my licence
It is your responsibility to notify the Licensing Department, in writing, of the change of address, change of name or any convictions. Failure to notify the Licensing Authority of the amendment and failure to produce the licence within 14 days is an offence under Section 127 of the Licensing Act 2003.
Name and address Changes
You must notify us if you change your name or address by completing and returning the following form:
Notification of Change of Name and /or address
The form must be returned alongside both parts of your personal licence, the certificate and photo card and a new passport sized photograph to:
Licensing, Town Hall, Bank Road, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3NN.
Once your change of address form has been received and accepted as correct and complete, a member of the Licensing Section will contact you to take payment of £10.50, the change of address fee.
Please make sure that the Licensing Section has your correct contact details, i.e. Email, telephone number.
Please note that until payment is received the change of details request cannot be processed and is not deemed valid.
Do I have to tell you about any convictions?
As a Personal Licence holder, it is your duty under section 128 of the Licensing Act 2003 to notify the court, at the start of any proceedings for a relevant offence (as defined by Schedule 4 -Relevant Offences ) that you are a Personal Licence holder.
If convicted of a relevant offence you must disclose to the Local Authority, who issued your licence, that you have been convicted.
If applicable, you must notify us within 14 days of your conviction.
Failure to inform the Court that you are a Personal Licence holder or failure to disclose to the Local Authority you have been convicted of a relevant offence may mean you are liable for a fine not exceeding £500 on conviction and your licence may be suspended or forfeited.
Replacement licences
If either part of your Personal Licence is lost, stolen, or damaged you must notify us immediately by emailing
Once your replacement request has been received and accepted as correct and complete, a member of the Licensing Section will advise you how to contact the payment section take payment of £10.50, the charge for a replacement licence. You may be asked for a recent photo to be provided .
Please make sure that the Licensing Section has your correct contact details, i.e., email, telephone number.
Please note that until payment is received the replacement licence, cannot be processed and is not deemed valid.
Your replacement licence will be issued within one month.
How do I surrender my personal licence?
Should you wish to surrender your Personal Licence at any time, notice to that effect, needs to be given to the issuing authority, accompanied by the completed form below and your licence documents. The Personal Licence will lapse on receipt of that notice.
The form must be returned alongside both parts of your Personal Licence, the certificate and photocard. If you are unable to provide either part, you must provide the reason(s) why to:
Licensing, Town Hall, Bank Road, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3NN
