Welcome to the area of the Council's website dedicated to the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003.

On 10th July 2003, the Licensing Act received the Royal Assent.  The Act established a new system for licensing and controlling the sale and supply of alcohol, the provision of regulated entertainment and the provision of refreshment late at night where alcohol may not necessarily be involved.  It also gave the potential for premises to be open for 24 hours a day seven days a week.  Responsibility for this new licensing regime is under the control of local authorities. The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport produced the Government's Statutory Guidance upon the Act.

The Act provided for transition arrangements to try to ensure as smooth a changeover as possible to this new licensing system.  The transition period commenced on what is know as the "first appointed day", which was 7th February 2005.  The transition period was for approximately nine months ending with the "second appointed day".    The first appointed day was the date from when holders of existing licences could make application for the new type of licences/certificates that the Council would issue.

The Act required local authorities to publish a Licensing Policy Statement before the first appointed day referred to above.  The Council's Licensing Policy Statement ( 160 kb) was approved on 25 November 2004 and revised on the 7 January 2008

We also produced two booklets concerning the new legislation to assist and help prepare businesses for the changes.

Are you prepared for the New Licensing Laws?(pdf 138kb)     

Late-Night takeaways - are you prepared for the New Licensing Laws? ( pdf 96kb)

If you wish to speak to someone regarding  licensing or to request a copy of the above booklets, please call the Senior Licensing Officer on (0191) 561 1011 or contact us by e-mail at Licensing@sunderland.gov.uk

last updated 16/10/08