16 April 2019

Don't leave it too late to be without a licence to sell alcohol

Aberdeenshire Council is advising licensees not to leave it to the last minute to renew their personal licences for the supervision or sale of alcohol.

If your personal licence was issued on or before September 1, 2009 or between September 2, 2009 and December 31, 2009, you need to act now to renew your licence.

In order to comply with legislation all personal licence holders must ensure they complete a refresher training course every five years and submit their training certificate to their local licensing board.

All personal licence holders are also required by law to renew their licence every ten years and submit their renewal application form to the board no later than three months before their licence’s expiry date. This means all personal licences that are currently due for renewal must be received by Friday, May 31.

Applicants must be 18 years-old or older and hold either a licensing qualification or training certificate from an accredited trainer such as the SQA Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders. The certificate must have been obtained no earlier than 2013.

Cllr Peter Argyle, Board Convenor of the south Aberdeenshire Licensing Board, said: “Whilst I appreciate everyone has busy lives, taking a few moments to renew your personal license can save a lot of time and aggravation. If you leave it too late you will have to apply for a new personal license and during that period, you won’t be able to serve or sell any alcohol and may even face closure. So, to have as stress free summer as possible I would encourage you to act now.”

Cllr Brian Topping, Board Convenor of the north Aberdeenshire Licensing Board, said: “Aberdeenshire Council’s Legal and Governance Service will help you every step of the way with renewing your personal licence should you require assistance. There is a wealth of information available on the council website as well to help you through the process.”

Cllr Fergus Hood, Board Convenor of the central Aberdeenshire Licensing Board, said: “The simple message is to act now rather than be sorry later. There is plenty of help available should you need it and the process is quick and easy. But only you can renew your personal licence. Don’t leave it too late.” 

Details of the steps required to renew a personal licence are available on the Aberdeenshire Council website: https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/licensing/licences-and-permits/personal-licences/renewal-of-personal-licence/