The Licensing Act 2003

The Government passed a new licensing act in July 2003. This act radically transforms the country’s licensing laws and affects anyone concerned with:

• pubs
• members’ clubs
• off-licences
• late-night entertainment venues
• restaurants and take-away premises serving alcohol
• businesses offering hot food between 11pm and 5am
• theatres
• cinemas
• provision of facilities for licensable entertainment

In addition to transforming licensing requirements, the act provides for greater freedoms in opening hours.

Online Register

You can search for submitted Licensing Act 2003 applications, granted licences and variations to licences by clicking the Licensing Online link on the right of this page under Related Information. Searches by premises name, street or licence type are possible.

Once you have selected a premises you will be able to see the history of applications and any conditions on current licences. For information on the types of licences available, visit the Types of Licence page from the navigation menu on the left.

You can also submit online representations if you have any concerns about applications or granted licences you view. For further information and guidance on doing this, visit Making a Representation by clicking that link on the left. If you have any difficulties using the licence search, the Licensing Service will be happy to deal with any enquiries. Contact details for the service are below.

Licensing Policy

The council's licensing policy sets out how the council, acting as the licensing authority, expects licensees to adopt the highest standards of management in their premises. The current policy came into effect on 7 January 2008 and will be reviewed in 2011. A copy of the current policy can be downloaded below.

Licensee Schemes

The council encourages local licensees to join Pubwatch, Clubwatch and Shopwatch schemes. These schemes aim to support the creation of a safe and secure social environment throughout licensed premises in the UK. For more details, follow the links on the right of this page.

Contact

Licensing Service
Public Protection Division
Islington Council
222 Upper Street
London N1 1XR

Tel: 020 7527 3031
Fax: 020 7527 3430
Email: licensing@islington.gov.uk