Watford Borough Council

Private members' clubs which supply alcohol or provide entertainment, or both, require licensing under the Licensing Act 2003.

If these activities are only offered to members of the club, the club may be able to apply for a licence called a Club Premises Certificate which permits the activities which the club require. The application process is very similar to the process for obtaining a licence for a public house, restaurant or cinema, but only members’ club are eligible to apply for Club Premises Certificates.

If the club offers these same activities to the public, or if the club is run as a commercial club (such as a snooker club, for example), then the club will need to obtain a Premises Licence which permits the activities which the club require. This is the same licence required by public houses, restaurants or cinemas, although the club may not require the same licensable activities.

If the premises is already licensed by either a Club Premises Certificate or Premises Licence, it is possible to amend the existing licence to add the supply of alcohol or the provision of entertainment as a permitted activity.

For information on how to apply for either licence, or to amend an existing licence, please visit Licence - Alcohol & Entertainment.