Application, licence and machines
Advertising the application
The applicant must publish notice of their application:
- in a local newspaper circulating within the licensing authority's area on at least one occasion during the period of 10 working days starting with the day after the day on which the application is made to the authority and
- by displaying a notice on the premises to which the application relates in a place at which it can conveniently be read by members of the public from the exterior of the premises for a period of no less than 28 consecutive days, starting on the day on which the application is made to the licensing authority.
Granting a licence
Once an application has been determined and the Licensing Unit decides that it will grant a licence, the applicant will be issued a prescribed form called the notice of grant of application.
Where, on granting an application, the council exercises its power to attach one or more conditions to the licence, the notice will include an annex setting out the conditions, giving the council's reasons for each one.
Where on granting an application, the council exercises its power to exclude one or more conditions that would otherwise be attached to the licence, the notice will include an annex setting out the conditions to be excluded, giving the council's reasons for each one.
Where representations are made under Section 161 of the Gambling Act 2005 in relation to an application which is granted by the council, the notice will include an annex setting out the representations and giving the council's response to the representations.
Rejecting an application
If the council decides not to grant a licence, a notice of rejection will be issued by the Licensing Unit.
Splitting an existing licensed gambling premises
In submitting an application to split a family entertainment centre, stronger criteria will be expected and the following measures must be in place:
- any location that is intended to be licensed under another type of gambling premises licence will require a separate entrance from the outside, with no doors or access to the rest of the building
- walls must be floor to ceiling
- permanent members of staff must be in the new section at all times it is trading
- CCTV must be installed
- there must be a minimum of 2m (6.56ft) between the new separate building and the licensed Family Entertainment Centre, which will be unlicensed for any forms of gambling activity. A copy of plans must be submitted to the fire authority.
Applications to vary the existing premises licence and the application(s) for new premises must be submitted at the same time.
Gaming machines
Family entertainment centres that hold a Premises Licence will be entitled to any number of Category C or D machines.