Licensing Act 2003

The Licensing Act 2003 introduces a requirement for applicants to serve
applications for licences to sell or supply alcohol, provide regulated
entertainment or provide late night refreshment directly upon the fire
and rescue authority. The full consultation process is clearly detailed by
the statement of licensing policy issued by each licensing authority.

These policies can be viewed on the relevant licensing authority web site or a copy obtained by request to the appropriate licensing authority for the premises in question.

On receipt of an application, the fire and rescue authority may make a representation against the grant of a licence or take independent enforcement action in order to address inadequate proposals regarding the provision and/or management of fire precautions.

As far as practicable, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service officers will enforce fire safety in licensed premises using the Reguletory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in order to avoid duplication of enforcement regimes.

Guidance for licensing applicants - Licensing Act 2003 (word, 170Kb) provides information to licence applicants which will assist them with the consultation process and the provision of adequate fire precautions by:

  • promoting an understanding of fire risk assessment and the fire precautions required to be provided in licensed premises; and
  • clarifying the enforcement roles of the fire and rescue authority and licensing authorities.