The licence must be transferred into your name before you can operate.

You can ask for a transfer application to have immediate effect so that you can start operating the business as soon as the exchange of business takes place and we have received your application fee, along with the consent from the previous owner agreeing to the transfer.

The police have 14 days in which to make a representation.  If no comments are received by the Police then your licence will be completed and sent to you in the post. 

In an emergency if a premises licence holder

• dies
• is mentally incapable
• becomes insolvent

then you must apply to transfer the licence within 28 days if you wish to keep the licence.

Cost

There is a transfer fee of £23.