Club Premises Certificate
If you operate a members club, the Club Premises Certificate is an alternative to a premises licence. You can apply for a club premises certificate through your local council if you’re a social, political or sporting members club.
You need a club premises certificate to sell or supply alcohol to your club members and guests, and provide entertainment such as live music.
What is a Club Premises Certificate?
A club premises certificate (CPC) can be obtained by qualifying clubs. It allows members clubs to supply and sell alcohol to members and guests without the need for a member or employee to hold a personal licence.
The certificate also means a premises doesn’t need to specify a designated premises supervisor, and police and licensing officers have more limited entry rights because the premises are private.
There are a number of advantages and disadvantages to utilising a club premises certificate:
Advantages of a club premises certificate
Unlike premises licences, there is no requirement for the supply of alcohol to be authorised by a separate personal licence holder, there is also the possibility of enhanced slot machines and high-stakes poker for members.
A club premises certificate also allows you to sell alcohol to guests without an employee having a personal licence, as well as not having to specify a designated premises supervisor.
Can the police enter a private members club?
If you have a club premises certificate, your premises are protected against police spot checks, and the police only have limited rights to enter club premises.
Disadvantages of a club premises certificate
The drawbacks include the fact that access is restricted to members and their guests excluding the possibility of passing business or renting out of club facilities to members of the public.
Clubs can also utilise a premises licence and this can, in some cases, be the better choice.
If you decide to go with the CPC and subsequently wish to make changes to your building’s layout, the hours you’re open or the conditions stated in the certificate you’ll need to apply to have it updated.
You might also need permission to introduce slot machines or even do something as simple as putting tables, chairs or signage on the street outside your venue.
Club premises certificate mandatory conditions
To qualify for a club premises certificate, your club must make sure that you meet these mandatory conditions:
- Your premises must be occupied and used regularly for club purposes
- Alcohol and entertainment is only provided to your members and their guests
- The person you nominate must be over 18 to serve and buy alcohol for the club
- There must be no arrangement for anyone to financially benefit from buying or selling alcohol
- New members must wait for two days from their application being submitted before getting membership privileges
- Your club is established and conducted in good faith
- Your club must have at least 25 members
Each individual UK Council may have varying conditions.
Need help getting a club premises certificate?
A simple mistake or lack of information in a particular section could mean you don’t get the club premises certificate you need or deserve.
We are one of the largest licensing solicitors in the UK, and we deal with these types of requests every single day. We can help you navigate this ever-changing area of law as simply and cost-effectively as possible.
By enlisting our help, we can help to ensure that your application will be successful and you’ve ticked every box necessary.
If you want to discuss the pros and cons of both club premises certificates and premises licences, all you need to do is get in touch with our team today.
Glossary
Club Gaming Permit
A permit issued by a licensing authority authorising the provision of facilities for gaming:
- on premises on which a members' club or a miners' welfare institute operates, and
- in the course of the activities of the club or institute.
Club Machine Permit
A permit issued by a licensing authority authorising up to three gaming machines, each of which must be of Category B, C or D, to be made available for use:
- on premises on which a members' club, a commercial club or a miners' welfare institute operates, and
- in the course of the activities of the club or institute.
The permit authorises:
- making up to three gaming machines available for use, each of which must be of Category B, C or D,
- the provision of facilities for gaming which satisfies the conditions in section 269 except for the first condition, and
- the provision of facilities for games of chance, of such class or description as may be prescribed, in accordance with the conditions specified in s. 271(4) of the Gambling Act 2005.
Club Premises Certificate
A certificate granted by a licensing authority under part 4 of Licensing Act 2003.
Qualifying Club
The general conditions which a club must satisfy in order to be deemed a qualifying club are:
- Under the rules of the club persons may not:
- be admitted to membership, or
- be admitted, as candidates for membership, to any of the privileges of membership,
- Under the rules of the club persons becoming members without prior nomination or application may not be admitted to the privileges of membership without an interval of at least two days between their becoming members and their admission.
- The club is established and conducted in good faith as a club.
- The club has at least 25 members.
Alcohol is not supplied, or intended to be supplied, to members on the premises otherwise than by or on behalf of the club.