Civic Centre Access Restrictions

VISITORS to Hartlepool Civic Centre and the adjoining Law Courts are advised that essential repair work is ongoing at the front entrance to the building. Access is restricted during these works

Alcohol, Entertainment & Late Night Refreshment

Licensing Act 2003

Details of Licensing Applications Received (as of May 2012)

The Licensing System

The Licensing Act 2003 applies to the following activities: -

The sale of alcohol or supply of alcohol
The provision of regulated entertainment which includes music and dancing (you may also require further licences for the payment of royalties, which are not issued by the Local Authority)
The supply of late-night refreshment (hot food or hot drink after 2300 hours)

Under the terms of the Act anyone wishing to offer any of the above activities to members of the general public must first obtain an appropriate authorisation from the local Council. Usually this will be in the form a licence but, for occasional activities, a Temporary Event Notice may be used.

Licences usually cover the premises where the activities will be offered (called a premises licence) but if alcohol is to be made available a separate licence (called a personal licence) will also be required.

There are different rules for private members clubs that meet certain criteria. Please call the Council's Licensing Team for further information.

The Licensing Policy

On 1st January 2011 Hartlepool Borough Council, in its capacity as licensing authority, published a new Statement of Licensing Principles (a Licensing Policy). The Policy details how the Council intends to discharge its licensing functions and will apply for a maximum of three years or until it is otherwise amended.

Licence Review

A licence may be reviewed once it has been granted if it is alleged that the premises concerned are not promoting the Licensing Act's 'licensing objectives'. These are: -

The prevention of crime and disorder;
Public safety;
The prevention of public nuisance; and
The protection of children from harm

Applications for the review of a Premises Licence or Club Certificate must be made to the licensing authority by either a Responsible Authority (i.e. the Police, Environmental Health) or an Interested Party (i.e. a resident or business living close to the premises).

Following an application for the review of a licence, the Council will organise a hearing where the issue can be discussed and a decision taken on whether any action is needed. The options available to the Council are: -

To take no action
To remove the Designated Premises Supervisor
To remove a licensed activity from the licence
To add or amend a condition on the licence
To suspend the licence for no more than 3 months
To revoke the licence

For further information we strongly advise that you read the relevant guidance notes.

Review Application Form & Guidance

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