Provisional Statement
When a licensed premises is being constructed an applicant may request a Provisional Statement. This gives an indication as to whether a licence is likely to be granted.
Where premises are in the process of being constructed or altered with the purpose of being used for a licensable activity, the operator may apply for a provisional statement.
Once granted, a provisional statement does not allow the holder to provide licensable activities.
However it does give the applicant an indication that, on application for a premises licence, it will be granted.
Application evaluation process
Applications must be sent to the licensing authority for the area where the premises are located.
Applications must be in a specific format and be accompanied by:
- Any required fee
- An operating schedule
- A plan of the premises
An operating schedule will include details of:
- The licensable activities
- The times when the activities will take place
- Any other times when the premises will be open to the public
- In the case of applicants who wish to have a limited licence, the period the licence is required for
- The steps proposed to be taken to promote the licensing objectives
- Any other required information
When submitting your application to us, you must ensure that you take the following steps for it to progress:
- Advertise your application by displaying a public notice at the premises for 28 consecutive days (starting with the day after you submit your application to us)
- Place an advertisement in a local newspaper (at least once during the ten working days after you submit your application to us)
- Submit a copy of the application and required documents to all responsible authorities
Other people and responsible authorities then have 28 calendar days in which to make Representations about the application to us (as the licensing authority).
The licensing authority will serve a notice of its decision on the applicant, any person who has made relevant representations that were not deemed frivolous or vexatious, any responsible authority who has made relevant representations and the chief of police.
Application fee
The application fee for the grant of a provisional statement is £315.00
Will "tacit consent" apply?
For the purposes of tacit consent, our target completion period for processing a correctly completed application is 30 working days.
This period will be extended by 20 working days if we receive representations in respect of your application - we will contact you to let you know if this is the case.
Public register
Under the Licensing Act 2003 the council is required to keep a record of applications received.
This may be inspected by appointment during the hours Monday to Thursday from 8.30am to 5.00pm and Friday from 8.30am to 5.00pm at the City Centre Customer Services Centre at City Hall , Plater Way , Sunderland SR1 3AA.
Failed application redress
Please contact our City and Neighbourhood team in the first instance.
If an application for a licence is refused, the applicant can appeal to a Magistrates' court within 21 days of notice of the decision.
An applicant also has the right to appeal to the Magistrates' court within the same time frame against any conditions attached to a licence.
This service is provided in partnership with the European EUGO network.
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