The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has welcomed the simplified process for personal licence renewals set out by the Home Office ahead of the implementation of the Deregulation Bill.
The Deregulation Bill, which is currently before Parliament, intends to scrap the requirement for personal licence holders to renew their licence every 10 years. However, the passing of this Bill will be after the 10-year renewal point for those who were granted their licence in early 2005, so those holders will need to renew their licence.
Licence holders whose licence will expire in early 2015 will have to fill in a simplified application and submit it to their local authority. The application form is available through licensing authority websites and the gov.uk website.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “The Deregulation Bill will be a welcome removal of red tape for retailers, but while this Bill is still going through Parliament, some personal licence holders will have to renew their licence. We welcome the Home Office’s efforts to simplify and remove the costs of this process.”
Licensees can apply to renew their license up to three months before their personal license expires but no less than one month before it expires. There are no costs associated with the simplified application process unless changes are requested to details such as an address or updated picture.
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