An introduction to premises licence floor plans

If you are looking to open a business that sells and/or serves alcohol, then you need to apply for a premises licence. Accompanying your application should be a clear and detailed premises licence floor plan, including all necessary markings and features for those who need to ensure compliance and safety. These floor plans can be incredibly difficult to do accurately without professional assistance.

Fortunately, we're here to help. The Lease Planners team is highly experienced in producing in-depth floor plans for premises licence applications, producing them to the highest standards and guaranteeing full compliance with the Licensing Act 2003 legislation requirements.

Still not quite sure what a premises licence floor plan is or if you need one for your business? Read our helpful introductory guide, and don't hesitate to reach out with any questions you may still have.

What is a premises licence floor plan?

A premises licence plan is a scaled floor plan drawing, similar to other floor plans you may have come across, but for businesses that wish to sell and serve alcohol, such as pubs, hotels, and wedding venues. It is an essential document to provide alongside a UK premises licence application.

These plans include a wide range of necessary details, including important safety features - a must for establishments which sell alcohol. As the consumption of alcohol can sometimes lead to turbulent situations, a plan with specific safety details is essential for the well-being of staff and customers.

Why do you need a premises licence floor plan?

A premises licence plan is needed to provide an accurate representation of the property's physical layout for building owners and management, local authorities, and public services. It's a legal requirement under the Licensing Act 2003, and needs to outline the areas where licensable activities happen, such as selling and serving alcohol.

A licence plan is also needed to demonstrate how the property meets safety standards and requirements. This means detailing escape routes and fire prevention methods to prove that you're equipped and prepared for any serious issues that could cause harm or risk to staff or customers. The plans are also necessary for local authorities to verify your compliance with the licence conditions.

Are premises licence floor plans legally required?

Floor plans are legally required when businesses want to apply for a premises license to sell and serve alcohol at their property. There are a large number of businesses that may wish to serve alcohol, including:

• Pubs of any size and beer gardens

• Bars and nightclubs

• Cafes and restaurants

• Live entertainment venues

• Leisure and sporting venues

• Hotels and hostels

• Wedding venues

• Conference venues

According to legislation.gov, these are 'licensable activities', which would require you to legally obtain a premises licence:

• The sale by retail of alcohol

• The supply of alcohol by or on behalf of a club to, or to the order of, a member of the club

• The provision of regulated entertainment

• The provision of late-night refreshments

If any of those apply to your business plans, then you must get a professional license plan drawn up.

What do premises licence plan drawings include?

A premises licence plan must include a detailed, scaled floor plan of the property in its entirety. This means accurate measurements, the number of floors, stairs, any elevators or lifts, all fixtures, access points, safety information, and public conveniences (toilets, urinals, and sinks). It will also include any boundary walls and outdoor spaces on the property. These floor plans can be split up into multiple documents to cover large properties.

Regarding the safety information included in the plans, fire prevention methods are of the utmost importance. Fire extinguishers, fire blankets, smoke detectors, emergency lighting, and escape routes will be clearly identified in the plan with specific markers.

Licensable areas (where alcoholic drinks will be sold and consumed) will be outlined in the plan, along with any stages, platforms or performance areas the premises features. Kitchens, if any, will also be marked.

Depending on your supplier and your situation, you might opt for a full site survey, where someone will come and visit the property to inspect and take measurements, ensuring an accurately scaled plan. This is something we offer at Lease Planners, as it can be useful to have the reassurance that everything is exactly correct.

Your plan can also include capacity calculations to help showcase how many people can comfortably fit in each of the property's spaces.

Licensing act floor plans from Lease Planners

Our team has combined decades of experience behind it, making us perfectly suited to create high-quality floor plans ensured to pass compliance standards. Get in touch today and let's discuss how we can help you in meeting the legal requirements for your premises licence application.