Guidance notes
This is general guidance only, and must not be taken as legal opinion. Applicants should seek their own legal advice. For full details of the new legislation, please refer to the guidance issued under section 182 of the new Licensing Act 2003 or the Licensing Act 2003 itself on the Department of Culture, Media and Sport's website.
The Licensing Act 2003 brought about radical changes in licensing, with the most significant change being the transfer of responsibility to issue liquor licences from the magistrates’ court to the local authority.
The regime offers much more flexibility for the licensed trade, and a ‘lighter touch’ provided the licenses act responsibly and take care to ensure that the operation of their business does not have a negative impact on the local residents and businesses.
Licensees must have regard to, and make every effort to promote the four licensing objectives which overarch the whole of the act:
- Prevention of crime and disorder
- Public safety
- Prevention of public nuisance
- Protection of children from harm
The council, as the licensing authority, must also promote the four licensing objectives, and must have regard to those objectives when carrying out its functions under the Act.
Contact us
Licensing Unit
Walsall Council
Challenge Building
Hatherton Road
Walsall
WS1 1YG
Telephone 01922 653583 / 653581
Email licensing@walsall.gov.uk