Method
Email. Please submit your comments to licensing@surreyheath.gov.uk (link sends email)
Opening and closing dates
3 November 2025 until 14 December 2025
The Licensing Policy (officially known as the Statement of Licensing Policy) sets out the principles and guidelines the Council follows when making decision on licences for:
- Premises Licences
- Club Premises Certificates
- provisional statements
- review applications
- Temporary Event Notices that receive objections
The Licensing Act 2003 requires the Council reviews this policy every five years to ensure it reflects local needs and aligns with national regulations. The policy aims to strike a balance between supporting local businesses and maintaining public safety and quality of life for residents.
The Licensing Policy is based on four key objectives:
- Prevention of crime and disorder
- Public safety
- Prevention of public nuisance
- Protection of children from harm
The policy covers all premises where any of the following take place:
- sale or supply of alcohol
- regulated entertainment
- the provision of late-night refreshment
- supply of alcohol in qualifying clubs Read our existing Licensing Policy (which we are now updating)
The changes that have been made in the new policy are:
- Within section 4 Policy Consultation: Updated list of persons and organisations consulted.
- Within section 6 Fundamental Principles: New paragraph relating to the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (Martyn’s Law).
- New section 7 Agent of Change: Reference to the agent of change principles in relation to the National Planning Policy Framework.
- Within section 18 Prevention of Crime and Disorder: New paragraph regarding reporting misconduct and violence towards women and girls and measures to prevent incidents of spiking.
- Within Section 20 Public Safety: New paragraph Action Counter Terrorism (ACT) awareness staff training.
- Within section 22 Protection of Children from Harm: New paragraph, certified digital identity to be added to the list of accepted age verification for alcohol sales.
- Within section 24 Large Scale Events: New paragraph event organiser’s of “qualifying events” to consider the implications of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025.
- Within section 26 Safeguarding: New paragraph on safeguarding and associated schemes and initiatives to help identify, manage and prevent vulnerability.
- Within section 29 Enforcement: Partnership working and multi-agency approach expanded.
- Appendix A Contact Details for Responsible Authorities: Contact details updated.
View the current Statement of Licensing Policy.
View the new draft policy:
Next steps
The Council will review all feedback and may amend the policy to reflect the concerns and suggestions raised.
If you would like any further information, please email licensing@surreyheath.gov.uk (link sends email)
