Club premises certificate: cost and how to apply
Written by Sam Allcock · Last updated 23 August 2026 · Facts checked against GOV.UK and a live council fee schedule on the date above
A club premises certificate lets a qualifying members' club - a working men's club, British Legion branch, sports or social club - supply alcohol to members and guests and put on entertainment, without needing a personal licence holder or a designated premises supervisor.
The application fee is set nationally in five bands by rateable value, from £100 to £635, and you apply through your local council.
Short on time?Let us prepare your application - fixed fee, and we always show you the free official route first.
Get it done for you →This guide covers what qualifies as a "club" for this purpose, how a club premises certificate differs from a standard premises licence, the fee bands, and how to apply. If you're licensing a pub, bar or other commercial venue rather than a members' club, see our premises licence guide instead.
This is general information, not legal advice. For anything specific to your club, contact your local council's licensing team directly.
What is a club premises certificate?
A club premises certificate is a licence granted under Part 4 of the Licensing Act 2003 that lets a "qualifying club" carry out licensable activities - mainly supplying alcohol and providing regulated entertainment - to its members and their guests.
It exists as a separate, simpler route from a standard premises licence because genuine members' clubs operate differently from pubs or bars: they're not open to the general public, and any profit from alcohol sales must go back into the club rather than to an individual.
What counts as a "qualifying club"?
To get a club premises certificate, your club needs to meet several conditions set out in the Licensing Act 2003, not just call itself a "club."
- It has at least 25 members.
- It has premises that are occupied and genuinely used regularly for club purposes.
- New members must wait at least 2 days between applying to join and being admitted, and between admission and being able to use membership rights.
- The club is established and conducted in good faith as a genuine members' club, not as a way to sell alcohol to the public.
- No arrangement exists for anyone to receive a personal financial benefit from the supply of alcohol, beyond the club itself.
- If the club supplies alcohol, it's managed by an elected committee of members aged 18 or over.
Club premises certificate vs premises licence
The two licences cover similar activities, but a club premises certificate removes two requirements that apply to a standard premises licence.
| Club premises certificate | Premises licence | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Qualifying members' clubs | Pubs, bars, shops, and any other commercial premises selling alcohol or providing entertainment |
| Designated premises supervisor needed? | No | Yes |
| Personal licence needed to sell alcohol? | No - members supply each other under the certificate itself | Yes, held by the DPS |
| Can sell to the general public? | No - members and their guests only | Yes |
| Application fee | Same national bands, £100-£635 | Same national bands, £100-£635 |
Our alcohol licences hub covers the personal licence and premises licence in full if you're licensing a commercial venue rather than a members' club.
What does a club premises certificate cost?
Unlike many council-issued licences, the fee isn't set locally - it's fixed nationally in five bands based on the premises' non-domestic rateable value, so every council in England and Wales charges the same amount for the same band.
These national bands are set by the Licensing Act 2003 (Fees) Regulations 2005, illustrated here from Ashford Borough Council's published schedule. The free official route on GOV.UK →
✓ Fee bands checked against a live council fee schedule, 23 August 2026
Because these bands are set nationally rather than by each council, you can work out your fee in advance from your premises' rateable value alone, which you can check on GOV.UK before you apply.
How to apply, step by step
- Confirm your club meets the qualifying conditions, including the 25-member minimum and the 2-day membership rule.
- Find your premises' rateable value to work out your fee band.
- Prepare your application, including a plan of the premises and an operating schedule describing how you'll promote the licensing objectives (preventing crime and disorder, public safety, preventing public nuisance, and protecting children from harm).
- Submit your application to your local council, alongside a copy of your club's rules.
- Advertise the application as required - typically a notice at the premises and in a local newspaper, so others can make representations.
- Pay the application fee for your band.
- Respond to any representations from responsible authorities or interested parties - if none are made, the certificate is usually granted without a hearing.
- Display your certificate prominently once granted, and pay the annual fee each year to keep it active.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a club premises certificate cost?
The application fee is set nationally in five bands by rateable value, from £100 (Band A) to £635 (Band E), the same as a standard premises licence.
Does a club need a designated premises supervisor?
No - a club premises certificate doesn't require a designated premises supervisor, unlike a standard premises licence.
Does someone need a personal licence to serve alcohol under a club premises certificate?
No - members can supply alcohol to other members and their guests under the club premises certificate itself, without any individual holding a personal licence.
How many members does a club need to qualify?
At least 25 members, alongside meeting the other qualifying conditions in the Licensing Act 2003, such as the 2-day rule for new members and being run in good faith as a genuine club.
Can a qualifying club sell alcohol to the general public?
No - a club premises certificate only covers supply to members and their genuine guests, not sales to the general public.
What happens if a club supplies alcohol without a certificate?
It's an offence that can lead to a fine and up to 6 months' imprisonment.
apply for licence is an independent guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to GOV.UK, any local council or any government body. This page is general information, not legal advice - for anything specific to your club, contact your local council's licensing team directly.