October 7, 2013

Licence Inspections

It is very surprising to find out that many operators fail to conduct even the most basic of in-house licensing inspections. The licensees should be regularly checking, reviewing and updating their venue policies. Conducting these checks can help to avoid costly fines or even prosecution.

Here are a few of the usual checks an enforcing authority are likely to look at during an inspection.

Your in-house inspections do not need to be extremely thorough or even well documented, a simple form with each element that needs to be checked, a comment section and a place for the manager to sign and date it to prove the inspection has been completed.

This list is by not exhaustive and can be amended to include particular issues for each specific licensed premises.

Each page of the premises licence summary must be on display at the premises.
Display a notice specifying the person nominated to have custody of the premises licence.
Check that the current name and/or address of the premises licence holder and designated premises supervisor are correct on the premises licence.
Check the premises is trading in accordance with the activities permitted and in accordance with the opening and closing times shown.
Check that the premises is trading in accordance with all of the conditions on the licence, including the mandatory conditions.
Check that any CCTV system is properly operational and, if appropriate, complies with the terms of the conditions on the premises licence.
Ensure that all members of staff including managers and, if appropriate, door staff are familiar with the conditions on the licence, trading times and regulatory activities.
Staff should also be familiar with the law in relation to the sale of alcohol to under-18s and the sale of alcohol to drunks.
A full record of all training should be made, retained and repeated on a regular basis.
Check all stock to ensure that the premises is not unlawfully storing or selling counterfeit goods.
Ensure all staff know that they are authorised by a personal licence holder to sell alcohol.
Ensure that staff are familiar with all policies, especially those concerning age verification in order to prevent underage sales.
If your premises has a temporary event notice, make sure you check the terms of the notice.

NDML provide a Risk Management service, with a carefully selected team of advisors who have hands-on experience in the Leisure and Hospitality market and the Health and Safety issues relating to that sector.

Our Risk Management Service provides an extensive menu of Health and Safety, Employment Law and HR services which will support you in running of your club. They include:-