The Legal Framework for Selling Alcohol
Selling alcohol — whether from a shop, bar, restaurant, or at a one-off event — is a regulated activity in England and Wales under the Licensing Act 2003 (Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own separate licensing legislation). Operating without the right licence, or breaching its conditions, is a criminal offence that can result in prosecution, unlimited fines, and the loss of your ability to sell alcohol at all.
The Four Licensing Objectives
All alcohol licensing decisions in England and Wales are made with reference to four licensing objectives:
- The prevention of crime and disorder
- Public safety
- The prevention of public nuisance
- The protection of children from harm
Understanding these objectives — and how day-to-day decisions affect them — is at the heart of responsible alcohol retailing.
Personal Licence vs Premises Licence
It's important to understand the difference between these two types of licence:
- Premises licence — authorises a specific location to sell alcohol, applied for through the local authority
- Personal licence — held by an individual, allowing them to authorise the sale of alcohol from licensed premises, typically held by the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS)
To obtain a personal licence, candidates must pass an accredited examination approved by the Secretary of State — most commonly the Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH).
The Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH)
The APLH course covers everything needed to apply for a personal licence, including:
- The legal framework and the four licensing objectives
- Preventing sales to those under 18
- Preventing disorderly conduct on licensed premises
- The roles and responsibilities of personal licence holders and licensing authorities
- The consequences of selling alcohol without the correct authorisation
Training for Staff Without a Personal Licence
Not everyone selling alcohol needs to hold a personal licence themselves — but staff still need to understand their responsibilities. Responsible Alcohol Retailing and An Introduction to Alcohol Licensing give general staff the knowledge to support compliance — covering age verification, recognising intoxication, and when to refuse a sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a personal licence to sell alcohol?
Not every member of staff needs one — but premises selling alcohol must have a Designated Premises Supervisor who holds a personal licence, and every sale must be made or authorised by a personal licence holder.
What happens if I sell alcohol without the right licence?
It's a criminal offence that can result in prosecution, unlimited fines, and potentially the loss of the premises licence — affecting the whole business, not just the individual involved.
How long does it take to get a personal licence?
After completing an accredited course such as APLH and passing the assessment, candidates apply to their local authority for the personal licence itself, which includes a basic criminal record check.