Get a personal licence (and name your DPS / premises manager)
A personal licence lets someone authorise the sale of alcohol from a premises licence.
A personal licence lets someone authorise the sale of alcohol from a premises licence. England requires a named Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) who holds one; Scotland requires a licence holder and a nominated premises manager. You get it by sitting a short accredited course and multiple-choice exam, then applying to your council or Licensing Board.
Without a named, qualified DPS or premises manager in place, your premises licence application stalls — most licensing authorities will not grant the premises licence until this is settled. Selling alcohol without a designated supervisor in post is also an offence in its own right, separate from the premises licence itself.
England
Book the APLH (Award for Personal Licence Holders) course as soon as you know who your DPS will be — allow 14+ weeks before you plan to open so the licence is granted in time to name them on the premises licence application.
APLH course roughly £100–£150; personal licence application fee £37.
Sit an accredited APLH course, then apply to your council with the certificate.
Scotland
Book the SCPLH (Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders) course as soon as you know who the premises manager will be — allow 14+ weeks before opening.
SCPLH course roughly £150–£200; Licensing Board application fee typically £50–£75.
Sit an accredited SCPLH course, then apply to your Licensing Board with the certificate.
Who this is for
The person (or people) who will be named as DPS in England, or premises manager in Scotland — usually the owner, general manager, or a senior duty manager who is reliably on site.
You must be 18+, hold or be sitting the accredited qualification, and pass a basic (and sometimes enhanced) criminal record check — certain unspent convictions, particularly for violence or dishonesty, can disqualify an applicant.
What you’ll hold
- APLH or SCPLH certificate
- DBS (England) or PVG (Scotland) check
- Passport-style photo
Watch out for
- Leaving the DPS or premises manager undecided until the premises licence application itself. Most authorities need this person named and consenting on the form — settle who it is and book their course before you touch the premises licence paperwork.
- Booking the course too close to the premises licence deadline. Course-to-certificate turnaround plus council processing can eat several weeks on its own, on top of the 14-week runway.
- Assuming one personal licence covers a whole group. It does not — every premises still needs its own named DPS or premises manager, even under common ownership.
Sources
- GOV.UK — Personal licence to sell alcohol (England and Wales) checked 2026-09-08
- gov.scot — Personal Licence Holders (alcohol licensing guidance) checked 2026-09-08
See also
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