Useful Information and Material Relating to
The Licensing Act 2003
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Offences Under The Licensing Act 2003
Important Notes Regarding Your Licences
Social Standards For The Production & Sale Of Alcohol
Responsible_Retailing_of_Alcohol
List of Offences and Penalties Under the Licensing Act 2003
Details of Offences Classed as Relevant in Connection With Personal Licence Applications
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Under Age Sales To Children Under 18
Under no circumstances is it permissible to sell alcohol to children under the age of 18. There are no exceptions. You must make sure that you and those that work with you are aware of this and that an on the spot fixed penalty fine may be issued for breaking the law. 'Test Purchasing' is now happening all over England and Wales in an attempt to curb under age drinking. To assist in your due diligence you should be able to show that you and the staff working with you area aware and understand the law regarding under age sales of alcohol. Download the sample policy which you may wish to consider using in your premises.
Alcohol and Children Sample Policy (doc file)
You should also keep a Refusals Register. A copy of the Citizencard No ID No Sale register can be downloaded from
The BBPA has now launched proof of age signage for the on-trade. The “Challenge 21” initiative highlights the fact that “if you are lucky enough to look under 21 you will be asked to prove that you are over 18 when you buy alcohol”.
Click here for further details and download the poster
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To supply alcohol under the Licensing Act 2003 you must either hold a Personal Licence or be authorised by a Personal Licence holder. We recommend that if you are giving authority to someone supply alcohol then you complete an authorisation sheet. Click the link below for a sample.
Authorisation Sheet (doc file)
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As you will see we also have included a Responsibility Test column. We recommend that anyone you give authority to has at least a basic understanding of the law. Below are some sample questions and answers that you could use.
Responsibility Test On Pubs, Bars and Restaurants (pdf file)
Responsibility Test Off Licences and Shops (pdf file)
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You may also want to consider as part of your record keeping to keep a refusals log to show that you are trying to achieve the licensing objectives. A sample refusals log is below.
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Offences Under the Licensing Act 2003
You may also be interested in the new/additional/amended offences under the Licensing Act 2003. Below is a summary of the main offences. Please note that this list is not the complete list just a summary of the main offences.
Offences Under The Licensing Act 2003 (pdf file)
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Important Notes Regarding Your Licences
Regarding Personal and Premises Licences and DPS information
Important Notes Regarding Personal & Premises Licences
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British Beer Pub Association (BBPA) Point of Sale Promotions document. Standards for the Management of Responsible Drinks Promotions including Happy Hours
BBPA Responsible Drinks Promotions Standards (pdf file)
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Social Responsibility Standards for the Production and Sale of Alcoholic Drinks in the UK
These standards have been compiled by the sponsoring organisations in partnership with Government and other agencies drawing together existing good practice and advice into a cohesive set of standards. They have been produced in order to assist businesses, individuals and organisations involved in the production and sale of alcohol in promoting the broader social responsibilities that go with the sale of alcohol. Member companies have undertaken to adopt these standards, to ensure that they are adhered to and maintained within their respective businesses, working in partnership with Government, Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnerships and local communities. These standards are also recommended to all those producing or selling alcohol who are not members of the organisations promoting these standards.
Social Responsibility Standards for the Production and Sale of Alcoholic Drinks (pdf file 1.4mb)
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Responsible Retailing of Alcohol
Guidance for the off-trade document produced by the Association of Convenience Stores, British Retail Consortium and The Wine & Sprit Association
Responsible Retailing of Alcohol - Guidance for the Off-Trade (pdf file)
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Please check back regularly to this particular page as we shall try and keep it updated with important information to assist in the running of your premises.