Premises licence changes - minor variation

A minor variation to a premises licence is defined as one that would not impact on any of the licensing objectives:

• The prevention of crime and disorder
• Public safety
• The prevention of public nuisance
• The protection of children from harm

The minor variation process can be used for any of the following:

• Minor changes to the structure or layout of a premises.
• Small adjustments to the licensing hours (but not to extend the hours for the sale or supply of alcohol at any time between 11pm and 7am, increase the amount of time on any day during which alcohol may be sold by retail or supplied, and/or add the sale or supply of alcohol to the licence).
• Removal of irrelevant or unenforceable conditions.
• Adding certain licensable activities, for example live music.

• Statement of Licensing Policy 2019-2024 (PDF) [780KB] (opens new window)
• Licensing Act 2003
• How to find the non domestic rateable value of your premises
• Cumulative Impact Assessment (PDF) [9MB]

Making a representation against a licence application

If you wish to make a representation (comment) on an application, you can make your submission using our online portal.

Only representations which relate to the likely effect of the granting of the licensing on one or more of the licensing objectives can be considered. The four objectives are:

• The prevention of crime and disorder
• Public safety
• Prevention of public nuisance
• The protection of children from harm

Issues which may be raised but which are outside the scope for consideration include:

• Matters which are outside the control of the applicant e.g. on-street parking, traffic, general anti-social behaviour
• Speculation about the effects of the licence being granted
• Representation which is frivolous or vexatious
• Matters which duplicate or relate to other legislation e.g. fire precautions, restrictions on a planning permission

Petitions as part of a representation against a licence application

When organising and submitting a petition as part of your representation against a licence application, there are some important factors to bear in mind: 

• We ask that the instigator of the petition identifies themselves as a central point of contact, as we may need to make contact in order to verify certain matters and if we are unable to do so this could invalidate the petition. 
• Each page of the petition should contain information as to the purpose of the petition so that all persons know what they are signing.
• Full names and addresses for each signatory must be provided. 
• All signatories must be made aware that where representations are made and not withdrawn, a copy of the petition will be supplied to the applicant and a copy will be contained within the committee papers. 

We will not write to each signatory separately but instead expects that the instigator of the petition will advise each signatory of the hearing date and the final outcome of the application. 

It is also expected that the instigator will represent signatories at the hearing and will speak for them.

Important: some areas of the town centre are subject to a Cumulative Impact Assessment (PDF) [9MB]  (CIA) so applicants are advised to check before making an application. The areas of the town centre that are covered by the CIA can be viewed here. (PDF) [2MB]  The current CIA came into effect from 12 July 2023.

Pre-consultation is strongly advised with all responsible authorities, prior to submission of an application.

You are also advised to contact us before submitting an application to discuss your proposals and the relevant responsible authorities.

To apply for a minor variation to your premises licence, you will need to complete the online application form. Once you have completed the application form, you will need to upload the following required documentation:

• A plan of the premises (if required, depending on the changes being made). The plan of your premises should be drawn to the standard scale of 1:100 with a key to show:
  1. The boundary of the building with any external or internal walls, entrances and exits to the building
  2. The location of points of access to and egress from the premises
  3. If different from point 2 above, the location of escape routes from the premises
  4. In a case where the premises is used for more than one existing licensable activity, the area within the premises used for each activity
  5. In a case where an existing licensable activity relates to the supply of alcohol, the location or locations on the premises which is or are used for the consumption of alcohol
  6. Fixed structures (including furniture) or similar objects temporarily in a fixed location (but not furniture) which may impact on the ability of individuals on the premises to use exits or escape routes without impediment
  7. In a case where the premises includes a stage or raised area, the location and height of each stage or area relative to the floor
  8. In a case where the premises includes any steps, stairs, elevators or lifts, the location of the steps, stairs, elevators or lifts
  9. In a case where the premises includes any room or rooms containing toilets or urinals, the location of the room or rooms
  10. The location and type of any fire safety and any other safety equipment
  11. The location of a kitchen, if any, on the premises
• Your original premises licence issued by St Helens Borough Council (please retain a certified copy of your licence to keep at the premises while your variation is determined).
• Contact details form (PDF) [203KB] (opens new window) , to assist us in contacting a representative of the premises.

Displaying of the public notice

For a period of not less than 10 working days, starting the day after we have accepted your application, you must display a notice which is:

• At least A4 in size
• White in colour
• Printed legibly or typed in black ink in a font equal to or larger than 16
• In a prominent position on the premises where it can be conveniently read from the outside by passers-by.

The public notice will need to contain the following information:

• The name of the applicant
• The postal address of the premises (if there is no postal address, a description of the location sufficient to identify the premises)
• The postal address and, where applicable, the web address where the application may be inspected
• A brief description of the application
• The date by which an interested party or responsible authority may make representation (within the 28 days from the day after the day we accept the application)
• That it is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application, and the maximum fine for which a person could be liable on summary conviction for the offence (scale 5 on the standard scale, which is currently an unlimited fine).

Any incorrect information or dates on your public notice will result in a delay to your application.

The fee for the application will be taken online once the application form has been completed and the relevant documentation has been uploaded.

Please note: any fee payable is to accompany an application. If for any reason your application cannot be accepted and must be rejected, any fees paid are non refundable.

You will need to wait for a notice period of 10 working days when you advertise your application. If no comments or objections are comments are received in this time, the licence will automatically be granted.

Please note: before you can begin the application process you will be asked for a licence reference number. If you're the premises licence holder, you will have received correspondence denoting your reference number in one of the following formats: 

• NN/LLLL/NNNNN
• NN/LLLLNN/NNNNN
• LLNNNN/NNNNNL 

N=Number, L=Letter

Alternatively, you can find your licence reference number on our public register.

Apply for a minor variation to your premises licence. This form will take 30 minutes to complete.

CAUTION - if you are not experienced in the submission of licence applications, you may wish to consider contacting a licensing solicitor or licensing agent to carry out this work on your behalf. If applications are submitted incorrectly or are not of the required standard, they may be rejected and you will lose your fee.  Please note that the licensing authority are only able to provide basic guidance, which is published on our web pages.

Please ensure that you check your application and supporting documents before you submit it, as no refunds will be issued for incorrect submissions.