OBTAINING A PERSONAL LICENCE

Under the new Licensing Act of 2003, it is mandatory for anyone wishing to become a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) and operate a licensed premises to be a Personal Licence Holder. Shepherd Neame expect their Tenants & Managers to be DPS’s.  If you need to obtain a Personal Licence, you will need to follow the steps detailed below:

Obtaining the Right Qualifications
In order to obtain a Personal Licence, you must attend and pass the British Institute of Inkeeping National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (NCPLH). There are a number of companies and colleges who run this course including Shepherd Neame. At the end of the course, there is an exam and individuals who successfully pass the exam, will be issued with the relevant certificate.

Personal Licence Application Form
Obtain a Personal Licence application form and Disclosure of Convictions & Declaration Form from the Licensing department of the local authority in which you reside. Although you will be unable to send off the application form at this stage as you will not yet have all the  necessary attachments, it will save time later in the process.

Criminal Records Bureau Checks - Basic Disclosure
Once your NCPLH certificate has been received, the next step is to complete an application form for a Standard Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) reference check. The application form can be obtained from Disclosure Scotland, Basic EHU Section, PO Box 250, Glasgow G51 1YU or alternatively through their website on www.disclosurescotland.co.uk. There will be a fee for processing the CRB which is currently £20.00. Please note that only CRB checks that are less than 28 days old will be accepted by the local     authorities when applying for a Personal Licence. It can take a minimum of 14 days and up to a maximum of 6 weeks, to receive the CRB reference.

Applying for your Personal Licence
When the CRB reference check has been received, immediately complete and return the Personal Licence application form to the Licensing    department of your local authority, along with the required fee (currently £37.00) and the other required attachments, which are:

• CRB check - original copy only accepted
• NCPLH certificate - original copy only accepted
• Disclosure of Convictions & Declaration Form - original copy
• 2 endorsed passport sized photos - one of which must be endorsed as a true likeness

Within 8 weeks the local authority Licensing department will send you written confirmation of receipt of your Personal Licence  Application.

What to do with your Personal Licence
Once you have been granted a Personal Licence this will be valid for 10 years and if required you can apply to become a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS). If you are offered a tenancy with Shepherd Neame, we will need to see your Personal Licence before a formal voffer is made to you so always ensure that you keep this important document safely.

Further information regarding the Personal Licence can be found on the Department for Culture, Media & Sport’s website which is www.culture.gov.uk