Alcohol: licensing
The Licensing Act 2003 ("the 2003 Act") regulates the sale and supply of alcohol, the provision of entertainment, and late night refreshment (hot food and hot drink sold between 11pm and 5am). Licensing authorities (district and borough councils or unitary councils) administer the system of licensing under the 2003 Act. They carry out their functions with a view to what is appropriate to promote the statutory licensing objectives, namely the prevention of crime and disorder; public safety; the prevention of public nuisance; and the protection of children from harm.
	The system of licensing is achieved through the provision of authorisations through personal licences, premises licences, club premises certificates and temporary event notices.
	Personal licences authorise individuals to sell or supply alcohol from a premises licenced for that activity (though not every individual who works in a licensed premises will require a personal licence).
	A premises licence authorises the holder of the licence to use the premises to which the licence relates ("the licensed premises") for licensable activities. A premises licence has effect until the licence is revoked or surrendered, but otherwise is not time limited unless the applicant requests a licence for a limited period.