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What Makes a Members’ Club a Qualifying Club? Club Premises Certificate Explained

Private members’ clubs can benefit from a different licensing arrangement from ordinary pubs, bars and commercial venues. However, simply calling a business a “members’ club” does not automatically make it a qualifying club.


To operate under a Club Premises Certificate, the organisation must satisfy specific conditions under the Licensing Act 2003 and genuinely operate for the benefit of its members.


Watch the video- Club Premises Certificate Explained




In this video, Licensing Professionals explains the main qualifying criteria and some of the mistakes that can cause a club to fall outside the Club Premises Certificate regime.


What is a Club Premises Certificate?


A Club Premises Certificate may authorise a qualifying club to:


  • Supply alcohol to its members;

  • Sell alcohol to genuine guests of members for consumption on the premises; and

  • Provide regulated entertainment for members and their guests.


Unlike an ordinary premises licence, a qualifying club does not normally need to appoint a Designated Premises Supervisor or have alcohol sales authorised by a personal licence holder.


This is because alcohol is supplied by or on behalf of the club for the benefit of its members, rather than being sold commercially to the general public.


What are the qualifying criteria?


The general qualifying conditions are contained in section 62 of the Licensing Act 2003.


1. The club must have at least 25 members

A qualifying club must maintain a genuine membership of at least 25 people.

A list containing names alone may not be sufficient if the individuals are not genuine members participating in the club.


2. Instant membership is not permitted

The club rules must normally provide an interval of at least two days between a person’s application or nomination for membership and their admission to membership privileges.

Allowing customers to join at the door and immediately purchase alcohol can seriously undermine the club’s qualifying status.


3. The club must operate in good faith

The organisation must be established and conducted genuinely as a club.


When considering whether a club is operating in good faith, a licensing authority may examine:


  • The club’s constitution and rules;

  • How decisions are made;

  • How officers and committee members are appointed;

  • The club’s financial arrangements;

  • Whether members receive information about the club’s finances;

  • The records and accounts maintained by the club;

  • Who controls the purchase and supply of alcohol; and

  • Whether the club genuinely operates for the benefit of its members.


A commercial venue cannot generally avoid ordinary premises-licensing requirements simply by introducing a membership card.


4. Alcohol must be supplied by or on behalf of the club


Alcohol must not be supplied to members on the premises other than by or on behalf of the club.


Where alcohol is supplied, its purchase and supply should be managed under the required club arrangements by elected adult members. No individual should receive commission or a personal financial benefit from the supply of alcohol, except for a benefit received by the club as a whole.


5. Activities must be for members and genuine guests


A Club Premises Certificate is intended to cover qualifying club activities involving members and their bona fide guests.


It should not normally be used to operate:


  • Regular events open to the general public;

  • Commercial parties for non-members;

  • Public ticketed entertainment;

  • General walk-in bar trading; or

  • Venue hire that falls outside the club’s genuine membership arrangements.


A club wanting to hold occasional public events may need a Temporary Event Notice. Regular public or commercial activity may require a premises licence.


Qualifying club or commercial members’ venue?


This distinction is extremely important.


A traditional social, sporting, political or community club controlled by its members may qualify for a Club Premises Certificate.


A commercially owned bar that charges people to become instant members is more likely to require an ordinary premises licence.


The licensing authority will consider how the organisation operates in practice—not only what is written on its website or membership form.


Records every members’ club should maintain


A well-managed qualifying club should maintain clear evidence of its operation, including:


  • The club constitution and current rules;

  • Membership applications and admission dates;

  • An up-to-date membership register;

  • Guest records;

  • Committee meeting minutes;

  • Records of elected officers;

  • Financial accounts;

  • Alcohol-purchasing arrangements;

  • Staff and committee training records;

  • Incident and refusal records; and

  • A copy of the Club Premises Certificate and current conditions.


These records help demonstrate that the club remains properly controlled and continues to satisfy its qualifying conditions.


Common compliance mistakes


Problems can arise when a club:


  • Offers immediate membership at the entrance;

  • Allows unrestricted public access;

  • Treats every visitor as a guest without recording or controlling admission;

  • Regularly advertises events to the general public;

  • Hires the premises commercially to non-members;

  • Allows one individual to control the club for personal profit;

  • Does not maintain membership or guest records;

  • Ignores its own club rules; or

  • Operates outside the activities and hours authorised by its certificate.


If a club stops satisfying the qualifying conditions, its Club Premises Certificate may no longer provide the necessary authority for its activities.


Download the free checklist


Is your club maintaining the right membership, governance and compliance records?

Download the FREE Click2Comply Members’ Club Compliance Checklist to review your current arrangements.


[DOWNLOAD THE FREE MEMBERS’ CLUB COMPLIANCE CHECKLIST]



Need help with a Club Premises Certificate?


Licensing Professionals can assist with:


  • New Club Premises Certificate applications;

  • Variations to existing certificates;

  • Club constitutions and operating rules;

  • Operating schedules;

  • Premises plans;

  • Temporary Event Notices;

  • Premises licence applications; and

  • Licensing compliance reviews.


Visit Licensing Professionals for further information.

This article provides general information and should not be treated as legal advice. The correct authorisation will depend on the club’s structure, rules and actual operation.

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