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Survey
| 1) |
When will my premises be surveyed once
I have placed my Order?
A member of our Regional Surveying Team will contact you within
14 days of placing the Order and agree with you a date and time
for the survey. To minimise disruption it is preferable to conduct
the survey in the morning before opening times, although it
is your decision. |
2) |
How long will a survey take and who has to be present?
Depending on the services required, a typical survey can take
from 2 - 4 hours. The landlord/manager or an authorised person
must assist the surveyor in completing a Survey Audit sheet,
which covers details about the premises and identify all of
the licensed public areas etc. The Survey Audit sheet will need
to be signed to confirm completion of survey. |
3) |
How do you check the quality of the surveyors work?
All surveyors working for GPB Design are experienced and
have been trained to work to GPB Design procedures and protocols
which are of the highest quality.
As well as self auditing via digital photos, whereby the CAD
manager checks the survey notes and photos with the CAD drawing,
all surveyors have random audits of their work to ensure our
high standards are met. |
Premises Plan
| 1) |
Why would the Draft Copy of the Premises
Plan need amending?
In a lot of cases it would not, but because the information
on the Premises Plan is important to your licence application
it needs to be correct. For example, you may decide to apply
for a variation which allows regulated entertainment on your
premises; in which case this needs to be identified on your
Premises Plan. GPB Design ensure that the Premises Plan is to
the prescribed format, but the applicant has the responsibility
for the information on the plan.
GPB Design would advise consulting with a Licensing Authority
officer at this stage in order to reassure yourself that the
information on the Draft Premises Plan and indeed your Operating
Schedule is what you want for your new Licence. The Licensing
Authority want you to get it right first time also (less paperwork!). |
2) |
How many copies will I need of the premises plan?
The number required is still to be determined but will be
between 6 and 9 and will be noted on the licence Application
Form |
3) |
Do GPB Design make a charge for copies?
No, we issue the number of copies required by the Licensing
Authority and a copy for the client. GPB Design do not have
any 'hidden charges' at all. |
4) |
What if I need to make a new application in the future. Will
I need a new survey?
No. As long as the premises layout has not altered significantly
there is no need for another survey. Just make what changes
you require on your copy and we will amend it for you at minimal
cost.
Remember, GPB Design aim to be your long-term partners, so we
always give value for money. |
5) |
When do I receive the invoice?
An invoice is issued with the Draft Premises Plan, and with
the issue of Risk Assessments and DDA access survey reports. |
6). |
I have existing plans. Can they still be used?
No. The premises plan needs to be to a prescribed format and
although your existing plan (for Justices' Licence for example)
may show some required information it will not show all of it.
However, an existing plan would be helpful to the surveyor in
his measured survey, and if the quality and scale was suitable,
you may obtain a discount if the survey time is reduced significantly
as a result. |
Fire Risk Assessment
| 1) |
I do not need a Fire Risk Assessment
as I employ less than 5 people?
Incorrect. You still need to carry out a risk assessment of
your workplace - it just does not need to be 'recorded'. To
have a Fire Risk Assessment, properly recorded by a reputable
company means peace of mind, shows compliance with the legislation,
assists with your Licensing application (Public Safety is one
of the Licensing Objectives and you are expected to show on
the Operating Schedule how you intend to promote the objectives),
could reduce your insurance premiums, and potentially avoid
costly fines and/or imprisonment. It could also save lives -
customers, staff and even yours! |
2) |
Does the Fire Risk Assessment need to reviewed?
Sooner or later you may introduce changes in your premises that
will have an effect on your fire risks and fire precautions
so it is important to review your assessment in light of the
new hazard or risk.
The 'responsible person' on the premises should review the assessments,
with the local fire officer if necessary, but we would be happy
to assist you if required but the clear information that we
provide should be more than adequate for you to do it. (if it
is not - we want to know about it!). |
Health and Safety
Risk Assessment
| 1) |
What is involved in the Health and Safety
Risk Assessment?
A qualified assessor will conduct a survey at a date and time
suitable to you. The resulting Health and Safety Risk Assessment
is a live document and as such must be reviewed at timely intervals
or when anything changes. |
2) |
Will the policy be specifically tailored to our business?
Yes. Every premises is different. Our Health and Safety policy
is specific to yours. We assist our clients further by including
simple, easily understood and easily manageable procedures designed
to address the findings of the assessments. |
3) |
Do I need risk assessments for my licence application?
It is advisable to check with your local Licensing Authority
and ‘responsible authorities’ such as the health
and safety authority. They may need suitable risk assessments
to be included in the Operating Schedule.
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Disability Discrimination
Act (DDA) access survey
| 1) |
What does Phase 3 of the DDA actually
cover and from when?
From October 2004 businesses may have to make physical alterations
to their premises to overcome access barriers. This might include
putting up clearer signs for visually impaired customers, installing
ramps/handrails to improve disabled access, correct table/counter
heights, highlighting danger areas or removing obstacles. Problems
and solutions vary from one premises to another. |
2) |
What if the cost of making the adjustments is too much?
The DDA refers to 'reasonable adjustments'. If the cost of an
alteration is not presently viable an access audit would note
this in a report of your building and attempt to find a more
reasonable solution. |
3) |
Are listed building exempt?
No, although there are restrictions on how listed buildings
can be altered. |
4) |
What if I do not do anything about complying with DDA?
You may possibly have to defend a costly legal action. But
you may also be losing valuable custom, especially if your competitors
are making improvements. Between 14% and 24% of the population
has a disability or are closely involved with a disabled person
- that is a quarter of all potential customers or employees.
With such huge spending power (£40 - 50 Billion) the improvements
suggested by DDA could benefit you enormously.
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The Licensing
Act 2003
1)
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What is the process of making variations
to a premises licence?
If you are currently licensed to carry out any of the licensable
activities you will be able to vary that licence if you want
to, for example changing opening hours, providing additional
entertainment, removing existing conditions, etc.
If you already undertake an activity that is going to become
licensable under the new regime you will also need to apply
for a variation.
If you apply for a variation, you will have to show how you
will meet the licensing objectives. Other people will have the
opportunity to object to your proposals. |
2) |
What about my 'grandfather' rights?
If you already have a permanent licence to sell or supply alcohol,
provide public entertainment or provide late night refreshment
you will have 'grandfather' rights.
This means that you will be able to transfer your existing licence,
with the same conditions, to a premises licence under the new
system. If you are an individual licensed to sell alcohol, you
will also have 'grandfather' rights to apply for a personal
licence. |
3) |
What is a designated premises supervisor and what is their role?
A designated premises supervisor (DPS) is the person identified
as such for a particular premises who is named on the premises
licence. Any premises where alcohol is supplied under a premises
licence must have a DPS. They will be named in the operating
schedule and are expected to be the point of contact for licensing
authorities, police or the fire service. The DPS does not have
to be the premises licence holder, although they are sometimes
the same.
Any application for a premises licence must also include a form
of consent by the person nominated to be the DPS.
The DPS is expected to spend a significant amount of time on
the premises and should be contactable otherwise. |
4) |
Who can obtain a Personal Licence and how long do they last?
A personal licence will last for ten years (subject to provisions
regarding surrender and forfeit) and applicants must hold a
licensing qualification, unless they already hold a justices'
licence. Other criteria also apply. |
5) |
Is every club eligible to be a Qualifying Club?
No. Proprietary clubs run for the purposes of profit are
not eligible to become qualifying clubs. |
6) |
What fee is payable to the Licensing Authority?
Confirmation of the finalised figures by Government is awaited,
but they are expected to be as below:
Personal Licence = £37
Premises Licence
Fee is based on which NDRV (Non Domestic Rateable Value) band
premises are in:
- Band A (£0 - £4,300) = £80
- Band B (£4,301 - £33,000) = £150
- Band C (£33,001 - £87,000) = £250
- Band D (87,001 - £125,000) = £350
- Band E (£125,001 and over) = £500
- Premises not in a NDRV band = £80 |
7) |
What are the governments licensing objectives?
- prevention of crime and disorder
- prevention of public nuisance
- public safety
- protection of children from harm
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8) |
Who are the ‘responsible authorities’?
These include the police, fire authority and health and
safety authority for example. |
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