Received a Licensing Enforcement Letter – What Should You Do?

Received a Licensing Enforcement Letter? Don’t Panic — Act Quickly

Receiving a licensing enforcement letter from your local authority or the police can be worrying. These letters often arrive without warning and may refer to alleged breaches of licence conditions, complaints, or compliance failures.

Licensing Review

The most important thing to understand is this:

An enforcement letter is a warning — but it can escalate quickly if handled incorrectly.

This guide explains what an enforcement letter means, what to do immediately, and how to protect your premises licence.

What Is a Licensing Enforcement Letter?

A licensing enforcement letter is usually issued by:

• The Licensing Authority

• Environmental Health

• Trading Standards

• Or the Police

It is not yet a formal review — but it may be the first step towards one.

Common reasons include:

• Alleged breaches of licence conditions

• Noise complaints

• CCTV failures

• Underage sales concerns

• Failure to promote the licensing objectives

• Inadequate staff training or records

What Should You Do Immediately?

1. Read the Letter Carefully

Check:

• Who issued it

• What breaches are alleged

• Any deadlines or response dates

• Whether a site visit or meeting is proposed

Do not assume it is “just routine”.

2. Do Not Ignore It

Ignoring an enforcement letter is one of the fastest ways to trigger:

• Formal warnings

• Licence conditions being imposed

• A premises licence review

Even if you disagree with the allegations, a response is essential.

3. Do Not Admit Liability Without Advice

Many operators make the mistake of:

• Apologising in writing

• Admitting breaches “to keep the peace”

• Promising changes without understanding the implications

Anything you put in writing may later be relied upon in a review hearing.

Should You Respond Yourself?

In some low-risk cases, a simple response may be appropriate. However, you should seek advice before responding if:

• The letter refers to multiple breaches

• There is mention of a possible review

• The police are involved

• You have had previous warnings

• Your licence is already conditioned or under scrutiny

A poorly worded response can make matters worse.

How can we, at Licensing Professionals Can Help

Licensing Professionals can:

• Assess the real level of risk

• Draft a measured, protective response

• Liaise directly with the council or police

• Identify compliance gaps before they are enforced

• Help prevent escalation to a licence review

In many cases, early professional intervention stops enforcement action progressing further.

What Happens If You Don’t Respond Properly?

If enforcement concerns are not resolved, the authority may:

• Conduct further inspections

• Issue formal warnings

• Impose additional licence conditions

• Initiate a premises licence review

• In serious cases, seek suspension or revocation

Early action protects both your licence and your business reputation.

Free 15-Minute Licensing Consultation

If you have received a licensing enforcement letter and are unsure how to respond, we can help.

👉 Book a free 15-minute licensing consultation with us to:

• Understand your position

• Discuss next steps

• Avoid unnecessary escalation

There is no obligation, and all discussions are confidential and professional.

Final Thoughts

Enforcement letters should always be taken seriously — but handled correctly, they do not have to lead to formal action.

Getting the right advice early often makes the difference between resolution and review.