Compliance visits - pubs and clubs

We carry out compliance visits to check for compliance with pubs and clubs premises licence and club certificate conditions.

Although many licences contain similar conditions some licences vary slightly.

You can check the specific requirements of your licence in our licensing public registers.

What do we check?

During our visits, we will check for the following:

1. Full premises licence is available on the premises for inspection

Failure to produce a copy of the premises licence to authorised officers or a Police Constable for examination is an offence.

2. Full premises licence summary is prominently displayed at the premises

The licensee must ensure that the full summary of the premises licence (often 3 or 4 pages), or a certified copy, is displayed in a prominent position in the premises. Failure to do so is an offence.

3. Details on the premises licence are correct and up to date

If the licensee or the designated premises supervisor (DPS) have changed their address, then we must be notified, failure to do so is an offence.

GOV.UK - change of name or address - premises licence holder or DPS form.

Please note: this form should only be used in circumstances where it is the same person or company but with a different name, for example a name changed by marriage.

4. Every sale of alcohol is authorised by a personal licence holder

It is a mandatory condition of the premises licence that 'every retail sale or supply of alcohol made under the premises licence must be made or authorised by a person who holds a personal licence.

Failure to ensure that employees are properly authorised to serve alcohol is a breach of the licence conditions.

Verbal authorisation

Whilst authorisation can be verbal, it is often difficult for personal licence holders and employees to know when a verbal authorisation was given and prove the fact in Court.

Both the personal licence holder and employee may need to accurately recall the date and time of the authorisation.

It is strongly recommended that the DPS or other personal licence holder (that works at the premises) gives written authorisation to sell alcohol to all relevant employees.

View an example of an authorisation for the sale of alcohol form (PDF, 32 KB).

5. Check 'written 25 policy' is available to be inspected and signage is displayed

It is a mandatory condition of licence that a written check 25 policy shall be in place.

Signs promoting the policy must be displayed at entrances and the alcohol sales areas, for example the bar or shop doorway.

It is good practice to ensure that all employees who are authorised to supply alcohol know where the policy is kept.

Download an example of a check 25 policy (PDF, 232 KB). Lancashire County Council provide Trade advice guidance on preventing the sale of alcohol to children.

Download an example of a challenge 25 poster (PDF, 1 MB).

Lancashire County Council provide Challenge 25 training and point of sale material for your staff. We highly recommend that all staff responsible for the sale of alcohol undertake this training, and records are kept to prove this.  

The Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) provide accreditation to suppliers of Proof of Age Cards in the UK.

6. CCTV system is compliant with the licensing conditions

Typical conditions state that the CCTV system must:

• Be in proper working order
• Display the correct time or date on the recordings
• Be recording whilst the premises were open to the public
• Hold digital recording for 31/28 days
• Be able to obtain a recording from the system and give them to a Police or authorised officer
• Effectively cover the public areas of the premises; and
• There must be notices displayed at the public entrance to the premises informing customers of the operation of the CCTV system -  download CCTV sign example (PDF, 202 KB).

Please note: Anyone operating a public CCTV system must ensure that they register with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO).

7. A notice is displayed making customers aware of the alcoholic drinks and measures available

The premises must make available in written form a menu or price list including:

• the alcoholic drinks available
• measures of drinks available

Additional conditions

The following additional conditions may appear on many (but not all) premises licences:

1. All customer exits display signs asking customers to leave quietly and have consideration for residents

Many premises licences, especially for those with nearby residential properties, have a condition that requires signs to be displayed asking customers to leave quietly.

Download an example please leave quietly sign (PDF, 78 KB). The British Beer and Pub Association provides guidance on noise control. 

2. Incident book

Many premises are required to keep an incident book. This allows you to record incidents involving violence and anti-social behaviour, as well as people being asked to leave or refused entry to licensed premises.

Download a example premises Licence Incident Book forms (PDF, 21 KB).

Other checks

During compliance visits the following other checks may be carried out:

• Fire safety - escape and fire exits may be checked to ensure they are clear of obstructions. That furniture is in good condition and not a fire hazard and there are no obvious fire risks such as naked flames etc
• Public safety - we may look for slip and trip hazards, check cellar doors are locked, see if lighting is suitable and sufficient and anything else which may cause injury
• Public nuisance - we may check to ensure that there doesn't appear to be any noise break out that maybe considered a public nuisance
• Crime and disorder - we may check to ensure that alcohol is not being served to persons who are drunk and that general good order is being maintained in the premises

What happens next?

Following the visit, a letter will be sent to the Licence or certificate holder listing any issues and offer advice on how the premises can achieve compliance.

A copy of the letter with also be sent to the Designated Premises Supervisor at the premises if applicable.

We will usually revisit premises that are not compliant to check that any issues have been resolved.