Apply for a premises licence

Submit your application form

Apply online on GOV.UK

Apply online if you have a Royal Greenwich account

You can use this form if you’re an existing user of the Royal Greenwich portal.

Apply by post

Download and print the premises licence application form from GOV.UK. 

Post the hard copy form and all supporting documents to us.

What supporting documents you’ll need

A plan of the premises

This must be drawn to a scale of at least 1:100, unless you have previously agreed a different scale with the Licensing Team.

Your plan must clearly show:

• boundaries and walls: the perimeter of the premises, including all internal and external walls
• access and escapes: all points of entry and exit, including dedicated emergency escape routes
• licensable areas: the specific areas within the building where each licensable activity (for example alcohol sales or live music) will take place
• fixed structures: any fixed furniture or structures (like a bar or fixed seating) that could impact the use of exits or escape routes
• stages and raised areas: the location and height of any stage or raised floor area
• levels: the location of any steps, stairs, lifts or elevators
• facilities: the location of public toilets and the kitchen if applicable
• safety equipment: the location and type of all fire safety and other safety equipment (for example extinguishers, alarms and more)

You can use a legend with symbols to show these items clearly on your plan.

Provide a consent form if you’re selling alcohol

If your application includes the sale of alcohol, you must include a consent form completed and signed by the proposed Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS). 

Download DPS consent form on GOV.UK

Provide proof of entitlement to work if you’re an individual

This is not required for limited companies or partnerships. It’s only required if you are applying as an individual.

You’ll need to either:

• use the GOV.UK Right to Work Checking Service and include your 9-digit share code in your application
• send us physical documents from our list of accepted documents

Fees

Fees are determined by the non-domestic rateable value of the premises. Check your value on the GOV.UK business rates service.

You’ll need to pay for the initial application or annual fees if you’re renewing your licence.

View the main fee levels on GOV.UK

Advertise your application

Once you’ve submitted your application, you must:

1. display a blue notice: this must be in a prominent position at the premises (where it can be read from the outside) for 28 consecutive days
2. place a public notice in a local newspaper: this must appear within 10 working days of applying

Local newspapers include the Greenwich Weekender, The Mercury or the News Shopper. 

If you use the Mercury or News Shopper, make sure you place the advert in the edition that covers Royal Greenwich. You will not fulfil the requirement if it is not in that edition. 

Find out more in our guidance on advertising a premises licence application:

You must send a copy of the published advertisement to us once it has been placed. 

After you’ve applied

There'll be a consultation period for 28 days after your submission during which responsible authorities and the public can object.

If there are no objections, we'll grant the licence. 

If there are objections, the Licensing Sub-Committee will consider the application at a public hearing.

Maintaining your licence 

Once your premises licence is granted, it stays valid until you choose to surrender it. To keep your licence active, you need to pay the annual continuation fee.

We’ll send you an invoice whenever your annual fee is due. We'll continue to charge these fees until you formally surrender the licence so it’s important to let us know if you no longer need it.

If you do not pay the annual fee, we may have to suspend your licence which means you cannot carry out any licensable activities.