Annual Fee Payments

There is still a requirement in law for the annual fee to be paid if you wish to keep your licence.

We understand that many, if not most of our local businesses are struggling at present, and the future is uncertain for all. We have put together this advice on where you might find financial support and other information that may be useful in the months ahead.

There may be help available through theGovernment business support grant funding (opens new window)

Alternatively you may wish to look at the advice on theBusiness Rates page

You may also wish to contact regeneration@breckland.gov.uk to see if they can offer and advice or assistance.

Off-sales of alcohol and food takeaway/delivery

Off-sales of alcohol from a licensed premises are only permitted if the current licence has off-sales. If you only have on-sales on your licence you will need to apply for a TEN for temporary use or apply for a full variation to have it added. If you need further advice on this please email licensingteam@breckland.gov.uk

The Food Team will have contacted most of you who were already offering food service to give advice on social distancing and takeaway and delivery services. If you need any further advice on this please either email foodandsafety@breckland.gov.uk or telephone: 01362 656870.

How to pay your annual fee

If you wish to pay your annual fee you can do so by debit or credit card by calling the contact centre on 01362 656870. You will need to quote your premises licence number which can be found on your letter (PL****).  Alternatively if you would like to pay by BACS you can make payment to the following account:

Breckland Council Income
Account sort code: 206261
Account number: 53002926
For the reference please enter "A/F PL****" (your licence number can be found on the annual fee reminder letter or your premises licence).

If you pay by BACS please email the licensingteam@breckland.gov.uk to advise us as we will need to notify finance that the payment is for the annual fee.

If you get a suspension letter

Your annual fee is due by the date on the enclosed reminder. If you receive a suspension notice for non-payment of the annual fee any licensable activity at your premises must cease until the suspension has been lifted by paying the outstanding annual fee. You must wait until we acknowledge the payment before starting licensable activities again. Annual fees accrue year on year until the suspension is lifted or the licence is surrendered.

If you decide to close permanently

If you have to make the unfortunate decision to permanently close your premises you have the option to surrender the licence. You must write/email the Licensing Team if you wish to do this stating your premises licence number, address of the premises and date from which you closed. You must be the premises licence holder to be able to do this. Please note that there are very few circumstances in which a licence can be re-instated so if you choose to surrender the licence then change your mind you may have to apply for a brand new licence.

If you sell your business and want to transfer the licence to the new owner

If you decide to sell your business you may wish to transfer the premises licence to the new owner. It is important to note that the licence cannot be transferred until such time as any outstanding annual fee is paid (this could be by the new owner). Please remember that the new owner will need to have someone who holds a personal licence to be their DPS. Please contact the Licensing Team to make them aware if you are selling the business - they will be able to advise what needs to be done in this case.

Bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, etc

If your business goes into receivership or liquidation or you are deemed bankrupt or insolvent please contact the Licensing Team as soon as possible as this may have an effect on your premises licence. There are very strict timelines involved in these cases and the licence may be deemed lapsed and not be re-instated past certain time frames.

Change of staff as your Designated Premises Supervisor

If you have a change of staff and your DPS (Designated Premises Supervisor) changes please make sure you apply to Vary the DPS. It is the licence holder's responsibility to ensure this is all up to date and that the DPS is a personal licence holder.

Further information and application forms can be found on theLicensing Pages of the Breckland Council website.

If you require any further advice please email the licensingteam@breckland.gov.uk.

Stay Safe, Stay Well.