Clubs are organisations where members have joined together for particular social, sporting or political purposes and then combine to buy alcohol in bulk as members of the organisation to supply in the club. They commonly include political clubs, Royal British Legion, working mens clubs, social and sports clubs.

Technically, the club only sells alcohol to guests. Where members purchase alcohol, there is no sale, as the member owns part of the alcohol stock, and the money passing across the bar is merely a mechanism to preserve equity to members.

A club premises certificate authorises a qualified premises to be used for licensable activities. These allow:

• the supply and sale by retail of alcohol
• the provision of regulated entertainment

Apply online for a club premises certificate

To apply, you must also:

• pay the appropriate fee
• Declaration for a club premises certificate
• read the guidance notes on new club premises certificates (pdf 243KB)
• provide a club operating schedule (pdf 142 KB)
• provide a plan of the premises
• provide a copy of the rules of the club
• confirm that the application has been simultaneously served to the appropriate responsible authorities

Further information

• Suggested format for a newspaper public notice (word 24KB) 
• Home Office guidance for suppliers of alcohol
• Pool of Conditions (pdf 433KB)