Vary a special treatment establishment licence
If you want to make any changes to what is authorised by your special treatment establishment licence, you are required to make an application to vary the licence. Possible changes include:
- Adding or removing a special treatment
- Amending the plan of the premises
- Adding or decreasing the licensed area
- Removal or amendment of a condition
Make an application
An application can be made in one of two ways:
Online
- Complete the form online (GOV.UK)
- Save a copy of the completed form for your own records
- Make the payment of using a debit or credit card
Paper
- Download and complete the application form
- Keep a copy of the completed form for your own records.
- Make a payment by debit or credit card
You should note that the application process will not start until the fee is received.
Adding or removing a special treatment
You may wish to vary your licence to add or remove a special treatment.
If you wish to add a treatment:
- The fee payable will depend on the category that the treatment will fall within
- If you are applying to add more than one treatment, the number of treatments you list does not affect the licence fee. The fee is based on the highest category treatment to be added
- Before an application is granted the licensing officer may need to carry out an inspection of the premises
- You may need to alter the plans of the premises
If you wish to remove a special treatment from your licence:
- You do not need to pay a fee
- You will not receive a refund on any new or renewal fee that you have already paid
- It may reduce the amount of the next renewal fee
There is no requirement to pay a specific variation fee if you add or remove a treatment at the time of the renewal of your licence. However, the renewal fee must reflect the treatments that you intend to carry out and may be different to the fee advised to you in the renewal letter that we send out.
Amending the plan of the premises or adding or decreasing the licensed area
If you are altering your premises you must provide a plan of the proposed premises with the application. This may be drawn by hand but must be to scale and must be accurate, clear and legible. It must show:
- The boundary of the building, including any external and internal walls
- All entry and exit points
- Location of the areas where the special treatment(s) are to be provided
- Location of all toilets
- Location of all washing facilities
A varied special treatment licence will not be issued until such time as our licensing officer has inspected the finished premises and is satisfied that it is safe to licence. Although plans can be agreed in principle, a licence will not be issued until all building work is finished and inspected and a final plan has been submitted.
You must pay the appropriate fee if you are varying the plan of the premises. However, there is no requirement to pay a specific variation fee if you are amending the plans at the time of the renewal of your licence.
Removing or amending a condition
You may wish to remove or amend a condition on your licence, either a standard condition or a particular condition relating to your premises. You must clearly state the condition you wish to amend, preferably giving reasons for the amendment.
You are strongly urged to talk to us before applying to remove or amend a condition of your licence.
Advertising your application
You may be required to advertise your application if advised to do so by the Council. If required, a notice must be put up at the premises and be displayed for at least 14 days.
View Notice of application for a licence
What happens next
We will check:
- The application is correctly completed
- The correct fee has been received
If there is a problem
If there is a problem with the application, we may contact you for further information or return the application (or part of it) for your attention. Until these problems are solved your application is not valid and the consultation period will not start.
How long does it take to decide on an application?
We will aim to make a decision on your application within 10 working days of receipt. However, this time may be extended if:
- It is subject to a final satisfactory inspection by our licensing officer
- Our licensing officer is objecting to the application
What happens if objections are received
Where a relevant objection is made, a hearing of our Regulatory Licensing Committee will be held to decide on the application. We will tell you about the arrangements for the hearing.
The decision
After the Regulatory Licensing Committee has heard all parties it will make its decision. It may:
- Grant the variation as applied for
- Grant the variation together with a further variation consequent thereon
- Refuse the application
This decision is usually made at the time of the hearing. This will be confirmed in writing with the reasons for the decision along with information on what you need to do if you want to appeal.
Appeals
You can appeal to the local magistrates' court if you are dissatisfied with the decision.
View appeal against a licensing decision for more information.