Jargon buster
Some common terms used in licensing documents and notices you may recieve – we have tried to put them into plain English.
“Conditions” – rules added to the licence to ensure that certain events or problems do not occur, or restricting the operation of the premises. Conditions that may be of particular relevance to residents deal with matters such as clearing outside tables by a certain time, or that sound limiting devices be installed and in use at all times, and that notices asking patrons to leave quietly be displayed.
“Hearing” – licensing decisions are made at a public hearing if there has been formal opposition to an application or if a review has been called for. Everyone who has made a “representation” attends a meeting before a licensing sub-committee (a panel of local councillors). The councillors hear from all parties. They ask questions and hear evidence and arguments. They then decide whether to grant the licence in full, in part or to reject it completely. They can also impose conditions on the licence if they believe that would deal with the issues raised by any interested parties.
“Interested parties” – people or organisations that have the right to make a representation or call for a review. Residents who live in the vicinity of the premises are interested parties. Groups or bodies representing residents (e.g. residents’ associations, amenity groups etc) are also interested parties. The Police, Fire Service, Environmental Health and other similar bodies are interested parties.
“Late Night Refreshment” – supplying hot food or drink to the public between 11pm and 5am. This applies to take-away and eat-in facilities.
“Licensed Premises” – any premises that sells alcohol, provides “regulated entertainment” (see below) or “late night refreshment” (see below). Includes pubs, restaurants, late night cafes and takeaways, theatres, cinemas, nightclubs, bars and off-licences.
“Premises Licence” – the licence which allows a premises to sell alcohol, provide late night refreshment or provide regulated entertainment.
“Regulated entertainment” – this includes providing live or recorded music, karaoke, amplified voice (e.g. compere), film, plays, and so on. It also includes indoor sports and wrestling. Dancing and providing a dance-floor is also included in this term. Similar forms of entertainment will also be included in this term and a licence will be required to provide any form of “regulated entertainment”.
“Representation” – the formal method for residents to have a say in licensing decisions. Residents can object to the granting of a licence. They can also object to the variation of a licence. They can also call for a review of a licence if there are problems with a premises. All this is done by making a representation in writing to the council’s licensing department. For more information see our guide “How to make a representation”.
“Review” – if a premises is causing problems or nuisance then residents have the right to ask the council to review the licence. This is a procedure that was not available to residents before and is a useful tool for anyone who has concerns about a licensed premises. For more information please see our guide on the topic.
“Variation” – if a licensee wishes to increase the hours the premises is open for, or wishes to put on regulated entertainment, or provide late night refreshment, or to have a “condition” of the premises licence removed or replaced, they apply to vary the licence.
This glossary is still under construction. If there is any word, term or document that you do not understand or that you think should be added to this list please email licensing@westminster.org or telephone Emily Scantlebury on 020 8964 5673
