Club Premises Certificate

Clubs (such as the Royal British Legion, working men's or cricket or rugby clubs) are generally organisations where members join together for a particular social, sporting or political purpose and then combine to purchase alcohol in bulk for members.

The grant of a club premises certificate means that a club is entitled to certain benefits, which include the authority to supply alcohol to its members and guests without the need for a personal licence holder, and specified designated premises supervisor.   There are also more limited rights of entry for the police and other authorised persons, as the premises are considered private and not generally open to the public.

In a qualifying club there is technically no sale by retail of alcohol (except to guests) as the member owns part of the alcohol stock and the money passing across the bar is merely a mechanism to preserve equity between members where one may consume more than another.  

To authorise the supply of alcohol and regulated entertainment in a qualifying club you will need a club premises certificate from your local authority.

Eligibility criteria

A qualifying club to hold a Club Premises Certificate has general conditions it must satisfy. These are:

• a person may not be given memberships or as a candidate for membership to any membership privileges without an interval of at least two days from their membership application or nomination and their membership being granted
• that club rules state that those becoming member without nomination or application cannot have membership privileges for at least two days between them becoming members and being admitted to the club
• that the club is established and conducted in good faith
• that the club has at least 25 members
• that alcohol is only supplied to members on the premises on behalf or by the club

Additional conditions in relation to the supply of alcohol must be complied with. These conditions are:

• that alcohol purchased for and supplied by the club is done by members of club who are over 18 years of age and are elected to do so by the members
• that no person at the expense of the club receives any commission, percentage or other similar payment in regard to the purchase of alcohol by the club
• that there are no arrangements for anyone to receive a financial benefit from supplying alcohol, apart from any benefit to the club or to any person indirectly from the supply giving a gain from running the club

Registered industrial, provident societies, relevant Miners’ welfare institutes and friendly societies will qualify if the alcohol is purchased for and supplied by the club is done under the control of the members or a committee or board.

Application forms

Use the links below for the following online application forms.

Application for a new club premises certificate from Erewash Borough Council

Application for a minor variation to a premises or club licence from Erewash Borough Council

Application for a variation to a club premises certificate from Erewash Borough Council

Notification of change of details or club rules from Erewash Borough Council

Application process

A club can apply for a club premises certificate for any premises which are occupied and used regularly for club purposes.

Applications should be made to the local licensing authority where the premises are situated.

Applications should be submitted with a plan of the premises which must be in a specific format, a copy of the rules of the club and a club operating schedule.

A club operating schedule is a document which must be in a specific format and which includes information on:

• the activities of the club
• the times the activities are to take place
• other opening times
• if alcohol supplies are for consumption on or off the premises or both
• the steps that the club propose to take to promote the licensing objectives
• any other information that is required

If there any alterations to the rules or name of the club before an application is determined or after a certificate is issued, the club secretary must give details to the local licensing authority. If a certificate is in place this must be sent to the licensing authority when they are notified.

If a certificate is in place and the registered address of the club changes the club must give notice to the local licensing authority of the change and provide the certificate with the notice.

A club may apply to a local licensing authority to vary a certificate. The certificate should accompany the application.

The local licensing authority may inspect the premises before an application is considered.

Fees may be payable for any type of application relating to a club premises certificate.

Will tacit consent apply?

Yes, in most cases. This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the local authority by the end of the target completion period.

The target completion period from the date the application is received by the Council is:

• 50 working days in the case of applications for club premises certificates and variations to club premises certificates;
• 21 working days in the case of notifications of a change of details or club rules;

In the case of minor variations, tacit consent will not apply. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from the local authority within a reasonable period, please contact us. The target for dealing with these applications is 15 working days from the date an application is received by the Council.