A fine can hurt, but a premises licence review can be even more damaging. If the police, council or another responsible authority believes the premises is undermining the licensing objectives, they may call for a review.

The Licensing Act 2003 has not changed in any fundamental way, yet the way licensing authorities, responsible authorities, and the courts expect compliance to be demonstrated has evolved significantly. For licensing professionals, this shift is critical. Increasingly, it is not enough for premises to say they are compliant. They must be able to evidence it clearly, consistently, and in real time.

Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) Explained. If your business sells alcohol, you’re legally required to have a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) named on your premises licence. But what exactly does that mean — and why is it so important? In this post, we’ll explain the role of the DPS, their legal responsibilities, and how Licensing Professionals can help you stay compliant. We’ve also included a short video to make it even easier to understand.

Running a licensed premises means understanding who can legally enter your venue and under what authority. Confusion in this area can lead to offences, enforcement action, or licence reviews.