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Certificate summary
Sports and social clubs where alcohol or entertainment are provided require a certificate.
If you operate a bona fide club, for example, you have a minimum of 25 members and operate 'club rules', and wish to sell or supply alcohol, provide entertainment such as music, dancing or indoor sports for members or bona fide guests, you must apply for a club premises certificate.
If however, you want to sell or supply alcohol or provide entertainment to the public, or hire out the premises, then a premises licence may be required.
Eligibility criteria
A qualifying club has general conditions it must satisfy. These are:
- a person may not be given membership or as a candidate for membership to any membership privileges without an interval of at least two days from their membership application or nomination and their membership being granted
- that club rules state that those becoming members without nomination or application cannot have membership privileges for at least two days between them becoming members and being admitted to the club
- that the club is established and conducted in good faith
- that the club has at least 25 members
- that alcohol is only supplied to members on the premises on behalf or by the club.
Legislation summary
Live Music Act 2012
This legislation came into effect from 1 October 2012. It affects only premises who are licensed for 'live music'.
Please click on the guidance note at the bottom of the page for more information on how this may affect premises with existing club certificates.
How to apply for a new certificate
If you would like to apply online, please use the club premises certificate form.
A fee is payable with the application which is based upon the rateable value of the premises, view the relevant fee here.
A notice of the application must be placed in the window of the premises and also in the local newspaper. Click on the downloads below for specimen notices.
If you prefer to apply by post please download all the documents below with the prefix 'new' and once completed send the form and other relevant documents to the licensing team at the address below together with a cheque for the relevant fee, a plan of the premises and a copy of the rules of the club.
Cheques should be made payable to Croydon Council.
A notice of the application must be placed in the window of the premises and also in the local newspaper. Click on the downloads below for specimen notices.
Application evaluation process
Once your application is received you may receive a visit from a licensing officer. If representations are received from a responsible authority or interested parties within the 28 day consultation period a hearing will be arranged within 56 days from the date the application is made.
Will tacit consent apply?
Yes, after the 28 day consultation period has expired if no representations have been received the certificate is granted as applied for. The certificate will be issued to you shortly after.
Once granted the certificate is valid indefinitely but is subject to an annual fee which is due one year after the grant of the certificate.
How to make an objection to an application
Representations against an application for a new club certificate or a variation of an existing certificate may be made by 'interested parties' these include local residents or businesses who may be affected by the activities of the club.
The representation must be submitted by letter or email to the licensing team below within 28 days of the submission of the application.
Current applications being processed
Your representation must relate to one of the four following licensing objectives:
- The prevention of crime and disorder;
- Public safety;
- The prevention of public nuisance; and
- The protection of children from harm
Annual fee
The annual fee becomes payable on the anniversary of the grant of the licence. You can pay your annual fee online.
Alternatively payment can now be made over the telephone by credit or debit card, if you would like to use this facility please telephone 020 8760 5466. Please note a surcharge of 1.65% will be payable for payments made by credit card, there is no charge for debit card payments.
Variation of a club certificate
If you wish to apply for a variation of the hours of the licensable activities or structural alterations complete the variation form and submit it online with the relevant fee.
If you prefer to apply by post please download all the documents below with the prefix 'variation' and once completed send the form and other relevant documents to the licensing team at the address below together with a cheque for the relevant fee.
Change of club name/club rules
If you change the name of the club or the rules of the club you should complete the change of details or club rules form. A fee of £10.50 is payable.
Minor variation to a club certificate
If you are making minor alterations to the internal layout of the club or wish to remove any conditions on the certificate then you should complete the minor variation form.
If you prefer to apply by post please download all the documents below with the prefix 'minor variation' and once completed send the form and other relevant documents to the licensing team at the address below together with a cheque for the relevant fee.
Lost or stolen certificates
If your certificate has been lost or stolen you should firstly report this to your local police station who will provide you with a crime reference number. Visit https://online.met.police.uk/ for more information.
You should then write to the licensing team at the address below explaining what has happened and quoting the crime reference number you have been given, together with the fee of £10.50.
A replacement certificate can then be issued to you.
Review of an existing certificate
A review of a current certificate may be made by 'interested parties' these include local residents or businesses who may be affected by the activities of the club.
Your application for the review must relate to one of the four following licensing objectives:
- The prevention of crime and disorder;
- Public safety;
- The prevention of public nuisance; and
- The protection of children from harm
If you wish to apply for a review of a certificate please download all the documents below with the prefix 'review' and once completed send the form to the licensing team at the address below.
The person or body requesting the review must notify the holder of the certificate and each 'responsible authority' of their request, by sending them a copy of the application, together with any accompanying documents, on the same day as the application is given to the licensing authority.
Please download the document 'new application - list of the responsible authorities'. Details of the certificate holder can be obtained from the licensing team.
Failed application redress
A failed applicant will receive notice of the refusal of an application for a certificate or variation of a certificate.
If an application is rejected, the applicant may appeal the decision. Appeals must be made to the Croydon Magistrates Court, Barclay Road, Croydon CR9 3NG within 21 days of the decision.
Licence holder redress
If a variation application is refused, the licence holder may appeal the decision. A licence holder can appeal against a decision to put conditions on a certificate or to exclude any club activity. Appeals may also be made against the variation of any condition.
A club may appeal against the withdrawal of a certificate.
Appeals must be made to the Croydon Magistrates Court, Barclay Road, Croydon CR9 3NG within 21 days of the decision.
Consumer complaint
We would always advise in the first instance that in the event of a complaint, you make contact with the trader, if you are not satisfied with their response please contact the licensing team on the details below.
Other redress
Please contact the licensing team on the details below.
Trade associations
Contact Details
| Licensing | |
|---|---|
| Telephone | 020 8760 5466 |
| licensing@croydon.gov.uk | |
| Address | Licensing Team Croydon Council 9th Floor Taberner House Park Lane Croydon CR9 3JS |
