Fee Estimates: Licensing Applications for Business Premises

Our experienced licensing specialist is able to assist you in applying for a new licence or an application to vary an existing licence. When acting in such matters costs are calculated based on our hourly fee rates. The cost of your matter will depend upon its complexity however below are the average ranges for simple, medium, and high complexity matters.

Simple matters: £1,000 to £2,000 plus VAT (currently 20%)

Medium complexity case: £2,000 to £4,000 plus VAT (currently 20%)

High complexity case: £4,000 to £8,000 plus VAT (currently 20%)

The above costs would include:

  • Travel to site;
  • Taking initial instructions;
  • Reviewing documentation including the licensing policy;
  • Advising clients as to how they can promote the licensing objectives within their premises licence application;
  • Advising and overseeing plans required to accompany their application;
  • Disclosing the application to the responsible authorities;
  • Making arrangements for the necessary advertising of the application;
  • Reviewing any existing premises licence when dealing with variations;
  • Drafting and lodging a new premises licence application or a premises licence variation.


Factors that may increase complexity and therefore increase cost:

  • Complexity of site location which causes objections;
  • Planning issues;
  • Security or safety issues;
  • Dealing with a licensing appeal matter i.e. when a local authority has refused the grant of a premises licence.


There are also a number of factors that may decrease cost:

  • Where the client provides clear and concise instructions and all relevant paperwork;
  • Where an application is straightforward and no objections / representations are received.


There are a number of disbursements that you may be required to pay:

  • Local authority fees
  • Counsel’s fees
  • Advertising charges
  • Land registry search fees, where necessary
  • Royal mail charges


Please note these fees vary depending on the individual premises and its location. The fees can on occasion be higher than the ranges given above. We will give you an accurate figure for each item as soon as we are able to do so.

A typical application is likely to take approximately 3 to 6 months to complete.

Our licensing specialist

John Polsue is a Consultant based in London and has 39 years of post-qualification experience in guiding clients on licensing matters. For a detailed profile of John, click on the link here.

For more information

For more information about using our professional services for applying for a new licence or an application to vary an existing licence, please get in touch either by telephone, email or our website enquiry form.  One of our team would be delighted to speak to you and provide you with a fixed fee bespoke to your needs.