Alcohol licence guide

East Lothian Licensing Board is responsible for all alcohol licensing and deal with:

Provisional Premises Licence

A Provisional Premises Licence can be applied for a premises that is still under construction, conversion, or even not yet built.

Find out more and apply for provisional premises licenses

Premises Licence

A Premises Licence is required for premises where the sale of alcohol is part of the business. An application can be made by an individual over the age of 18 years, a company or an organisation involved in the sale of alcohol. Premises licenses are transferable and remain in force with no time limit subject to the payment of an annual fee. For more information on Premises Licenses and to download application documentation, please click here.

Find out more and apply for premises licenses

Minor Variations

If you want to:

make a change to a layout plan that does not change the information in the operating plan
restrict any of the term on which children are allowed entry
change an existing premises manager details or name a new premises manager

You will need to submit a Minor Variation application.

Find out more and apply for a minor variation

Major Variations

If you want to:

change any of the information in the operating plan
change the layout plan of the premises
change any of the conditions attached to a licence
change any of the information in the licence

You will need to submit a Major Variation application.

Find out more and apply for a major variation

Transfer of Premises Licence

A premises licence can be transferred to any company, organisation or person except individuals under the age of 18 years. The application must be made by the current licence holder.

Find out more and apply for a licence transfer

Temporary Premises Licence

The purpose of a temporary licence is to allow a trader to use temporary premises to continue his business whilst his main premises are undergoing, or are to undergo, reconstruction or conversion.

Find out more and apply for a temporary licence

Occasional Licence

If you want to sell alcohol in a place that does not have a Premises Licence, then you must apply for an Occasional Licence.

To make an application, you must be one of the following:

the holder of a Premises Licence
the holder of a Personal Licence
a representative of a voluntary organisation

Find out more and apply for an occasional licence

Extended Hours Licence

If a premises licence holder wants to open their premises later than the current hours detailed in their operating plan, they must apply for an extension of hours.

East Lothian Licensing Board has the power to grant general extensions for all premises, of licensed hours in connection with a special event of local or national significance. Normally this is granted during the Christmas / New Year period.

Find out more and apply for an extension of hours

Personal Licenses

You need a personal licence to authorise or supervise the sale of alcohol in licensed premises anywhere in Scotland. You should apply to the Licensing Authority for the area you ordinarily reside. The licence is ‘portable’, meaning that it is valid in any area of Scotland.

Find out more and apply for a personal licence

**Please note: licence fees are non-refundable**