Central Services Licensing

• Licensing Home page
• Central Services List of Licences
• How To Object
• Licensing Code
• Licensing Act 2003

Licensing Applications

• Current Applications
• Current Reviews
• Current Temporary Events Notices
• Applications Pending Sub Committee Hearing

Statement

• Statement of Gambling Policy (634KB, PDF file)
• Statement of Licensing Policy (513KB, PDF file)

Contact Details

• Licensing Team
  2a Hadlow Road
  Sidcup
  Kent
  DA14 4AF
  DX31807 Bexleyheath
• 020 8308 7672
• 020 8308 1300
• licensing.office@ bexley.gov.uk

Licensing Act 2003

The Licensing Act 2003 makes Bexley Council responsible for a single integrated licensing system, bringing together six of the existing licensing regimes (alcohol, public entertainment, cinemas, theatres, late night refreshment house and night cafes).

The main focus of the Act is the promotion of four "licensing objectives":

• the prevention of crime and disorder;
• public safety;
• the prevention of public nuisance;
• the protection of children from harm.

The Act aims to provide a more flexible system of licensing, doing away with traditional pub hours.

However, any premise wanting to change their existing consents, for example to stay open later, will have to make an application to vary their licence, and it will be open to residents and businesses in the vicinity to make relevant representations on such applications, which will have to be advertised.

The Licensing Team have prepared a guidance note to assist residents or businesses in "Making Representations" to applications made under the Act.

Applications for licences under the new Act can be made to the Council from 7th February 2005 onwards. However, any licences issued will not become operational until the Act becomes fully effective, which is likely to be early November 2005.

Please refer to the section Current Applications section for detail of applications for the grant, variation and provisional grant of the new licences.

Licensing Policy

Under the Act the Council is required to publish a "Statement of Licensing Policy", which must set out the general approach it will take when making licensing decisions. The latest and current version of the Council’s Licensing Policy, which was approved on 7 November 2007, can be viewed via the link below, in the reception areas of main Council offices and in public libraries. Printed copies of the Licensing Policy are also available from the Licensing Team (contact details in the navigation menu).

Statement of Licensing Policy (513KB, PDF file)

Other information

For the benefit of businesses likely to be affected by the new Act the Council has issued:

Licensing Act 2003 - An Outline of the Changes (119KB, PDF file)
Licensing Act 2003 - Terminology (87KB, PDF file)
Guidance to Assist the Holders of Liquor & Public Entertainment Licences (487KB, PDF file)
Guidance to Assist the Holders of Night Café and Takeaway Business (425KB, PDF file)

Information on the types of licences, certificates and notices available under the new Act and guidance on the various application processes, including the application forms will be available on this web site in the immediate future. However until such time that this information is available prospective applicants can access the application forms via the web site of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, the Government department responsible for the new Act.

Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS).

• DCMS information on the Licensing Act 2003

Contact the Licensing Team if you require further information or assistance on the Licensing Act 2003.