All you need to know about how to get a pub licence
The first step to getting a pub licence starts with you. And that’s because you’ll need to get something called a personal licence.
If you already hold a personal licence, you can go straight ahead and read our article on ‘How to become a pub operator or licensee’.
What is a personal licence?
A personal licence allows you to sell alcohol on behalf of any business that has a premises licence or a club premises certificate. And while it might sound a bit complicated, all it indicates is that anyone running or managing a business that sells or supplies alcohol will do so in a professional manner.
Once you receive your personal licence, you can act as a premises supervisor for any business that sells or supplies alcohol.
How do you get a personal licence?
To get one, first you must obtain a relevant licensing qualification (there’s a full list of accredited qualification providers). The qualification demonstrates you understand the Licensing Act of 2003, are of good character and can sell alcohol responsibly.
If you don’t already have one, you’ll need to obtain a personal licence before starting your Business Plan with Star Pubs. Here, you can find more information about what is involved in starting your business plan.
In Scotland, you’ll need a Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (SCPLH) qualification, which you can gain via a one-day course and then a final exam. You can find out who to contact here.
What happens after obtaining a personal licence?
Once you’ve received your personal licence, you can start looking forward to becoming a pub operator. Find out the training offered by Star Pubs, or begin your search to find your first pub here.
