Alcohol, entertainment and late night refreshment

The Licensing Act 2003 governs the sale of alcohol by retail, the supply of alcohol in members clubs, regulated entertainment and the provision of late night opening for food outlets.

The Act is supported by four statutory licensing objectives:-

• The Prevention of Crime and Disorder
• Public Safety
• The Prevention of Public Safety
• The Protection of Children from Harm

You can view our licensing policy here (PDF 131Kb) and a list of fees and charges here (PDF 21Kb).

You can use this site to obtain details about making a licensing application and obtain guidance or other useful information.

Information for Applicants

If you are considering operating a pub, nightclub, off licence, takeaway or café that offers licensable activities then the links below take you to the relevant application forms and guidance.

Premises licences

A premises licence authorises the use of premises, which are defined as any place, for licensable activities, i.e. the sale of alcohol, entertainment or late night refreshment. NB: Late night refreshment is defined as the sale of hot food or drink between the hours of 11pm and 5am.

Temporary Events

The serving of a temporary event notice allows the premises user to carry out licensable activities for a short period of time. There are restrictions on the length of time you can carry out such activities and how often you can serve notices. You can find more information in the guidance below.

Personal Licences

If you intend to be a Designated Premises Supervisor and/or authorise the sale of alcohol you will need a personal licence.

Club Premises

If you are involved in the running of a private members club such as a political club, working members club or Masonic lodge and the club is run not for profit you will need a club premises certificate.

Information for Residents

Making a representation about an application

What is a representation?

A representation is a statement of information relating to an application. It may be that you feel enough measures have not been put in place to prevent disturbance to local residents and you therefore wish to make comment on the application. You can of course make a representation in support of an application. Please see here for guidance on making a representation (PDF 118Kb).

Representations can relate to applications for:

• New premises licences or club premises certificates
• Variations to existing premises or club premises certificates
• Provisional statements

Unless stated otherwise references to ‘licences’ in this text also apply to club premises certificates.

When can a representation be made?

Representations must be made within 28 consecutive days of the start date of the application.

Who can make a representation?

Any one of the seven responsible authorities (Police, Fire, Planning, Environmental Health, Child Protection, Trading standards and Health & Safety) can make a representation. An interested party is a resident or a business, or someone representing a resident or a business, who lives or operates within the vicinity of the premises that has made the licence application.

Please note: Interested parties cannot make representations anonymously, though someone who has made a representation could request that somebody else (e.g. a local MP or Councillor) act on their behalf at any subsequent hearing. There is no definition of vicinity and each representation will be considered individually.

The Licensing Authority cannot accept any representations that are considered frivolous, vexatious or repetitive, as defined in the Licensing Act 2003.

It is important that an applicant knows who is making a representation against an application. If you are concerned about lodging a representation you may wish to speak to one of the responsible authorities detailed above and ask them to make one on your behalf.

Determining the application

If representations against the application are received Licensing Officers will hold a mediation meeting in attempt to work towards an agreement with the applicants and objectors. Should agreement not be reached a hearing will be listed before a licensing panel of three Councillors. A decision will be made at that hearing after hearing all parties speak or having read written representations if some or all of the parties do not attend. You can view details of the order of proceedings for hearings here (PDF 35Kb) together with the hearing regulations issued by the Government here.

Appealing a decision

Should any of the parties wish to appeal the decision of the licensing panel they have 21 days to do so after receiving notice of the decision. A fee may be levied for lodging the appeal which should be made to Oldham Magistrates’ Court, St. Domingo Place, West Street, Oldham, OL1 1QE. Tel: 0161 620 2331

You can view guidance on appealing here (PDF 75Kb).

If you require further information or advice please contact the Licensing Team at:

North House
130, Rochdale Road
Oldham, OL1 2JA

Telephone: 0161 770 4730 / 1
Email: licensing@oldham.gov.uk

Making a complaint about a licensed premise

If you want to complain about a licensed premise please click here to send an email to the Licensing Team who will revert back to you within two working days. Please include a brief description of the issue, your name, address and contact phone number.

Reviewing a premises licence

Responsible authorities and interested parties are able to lodge a review of a premises licence if they feel that the licensing objectives are being compromised. There is no fee for this application.

Following the application being lodged a 28 consultation period will commence after which a hearing will take place.

26 FEBRUARY 2010/PW/TP/EPS

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Oldham Council, Civic Centre, West Street, Oldham, OL1 1UT.
Telephone 0161 770 3000