# What licences and permissions does a hotel need in England?

Canonical source: https://rivermarkproperty.com/journal/hotel-licences-and-permissions-england/

Rivermark · 12 October 2026 · 5 min read

A hotel premises licence authorises specified activities, such as alcohol sales or late-night hot food. It does not settle planning use, food registration or fire safety. Before buying or leasing, compare each permission with the business you intend to run and put any required changes into the cost and opening programme. [Government guidance](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/premises-licence-application-forms/premises-licence-guidance) explains which activities a premises licence can cover.

An existing hotel’s bar, restaurant or event space may come with restrictions that do not suit the next operator. Establish those restrictions before agreeing a deal that depends on changing them.

This article concerns England. Some linked licensing guidance also covers Wales; Scotland and Northern Ireland have different systems.

## Planning establishes the building’s starting position

Hotels generally fall within Class C1 in England, as shown in [government use-class guidance](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/when-is-permission-required). The relevant decisions, approved plans and conditions establish what a particular property’s planning position covers.

The proposed hotel needs to be assessed against those documents. An extension, conversion or change to associated activities may raise further questions. A planning adviser needs the intended room layout, guest access, servicing and external works to assess the proposal itself.

For an owner offering a conversion building, distinguish the current authorised use from the proposed hotel use. Give the operator the existing plans and decisions, and identify which alterations still need assessment. A proposed bedroom count alone does not establish that the building can operate as a hotel.

## The premises licence needs to match the activities

In England and Wales, selling or supplying alcohol requires a licence or other authorisation. [Government alcohol-licensing guidance](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/alcohol-licensing) explains the distinct roles of premises and personal licences.

For an existing hotel, compare the full premises licence, conditions and licensed plan with the intended areas, activities and hours. For alcohol sales, the designated premises supervisor (DPS) must hold a personal licence. These are different roles: the premises licence authorises activities at the property; the personal licence belongs to an individual. Confirm who will hold the premises licence and who will act as DPS.

A hotel’s marketing description may mention a bar or events space. The documents establish what is authorised. The proposed business should describe where alcohol would be sold and how guest areas, restaurants and events would operate.

Check licensed hours against planning restrictions. If planning sets an earlier closing time than the premises licence, the earlier time must be observed. The [September 2026 statutory licensing guidance, paragraph 14.68](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/explanatory-memorandum-revised-guidance-issued-under-s-182-of-licensing-act-2003/revised-guidance-issued-under-section-182-of-the-licensing-act-2003-september-2026-accessible-version) explains this. A later licensed hour alone cannot support a business plan that depends on late opening.

## Late service and events need a specific proposal

Hot food or hot drink supplied between 11pm and 5am can require late-night refreshment authorisation. The hotel-guest exemption has conditions: [statutory guidance, paragraph 3.20](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/explanatory-memorandum-revised-guidance-issued-under-s-182-of-licensing-act-2003/revised-guidance-issued-under-section-182-of-the-licensing-act-2003-september-2026-accessible-version) describes supplies to overnight guests and certain other people where the public is not admitted to the premises involved. It is not a blanket exemption for every hotel kitchen.

A residents-only service and a kitchen serving the public late at night are different proposals. State who can order, where service takes place and the intended hours, then confirm the position with the licensing authority. Describe music, performances and events separately so a licensing adviser can assess any authorisation or exemption.

These choices also affect the building. A breakfast operation and a late-serving kitchen may need different staffing, delivery and refuse arrangements. A property comparison should reflect the service the operator intends to provide.

## Food registration belongs in the opening programme

A hotel serving food needs to address food-business registration, including a breakfast-only operation. The [Food Standards Agency’s registration service](https://register.food.gov.uk/new/) says a new business or an operator taking over an existing food business must register with the local authority, at least 28 days before trading or food operations start. Do not assume the previous operator’s registration covers the incoming business.

Put registration into the handover timetable. Separately, check whether preparation space, storage, ventilation, deliveries and waste arrangements can support the menu and service hours. Registration does not establish that the kitchen is suitable for the proposed operation.

## Fire safety and works affect readiness to open

Sleeping accommodation needs a fire-safety assessment appropriate to its operation. [Government fire-risk-assessment guidance](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-risk-assessment-sleeping-accommodation/fire-safety-risk-assessment-sleeping-accommodation-accessible) explains the duties and assessment approach.

An existing assessment should be reviewed against the proposed use and layout by a competent person. A conversion needs assessment and design work for its proposed accommodation. Building regulations and any necessary works approvals should be considered with the relevant professionals.

The property discussion needs to establish who would carry out and fund the work, and which findings could change the layout or opening date. Those responsibilities should be understood before the programme relies on them.

## A takeover needs more than a copy of the licence

Buying the building or signing a lease does not itself transfer the premises licence. If the licence holder will change, arrange the transfer with the licensing authority. A transfer changes the holder; it leaves the authorised activities, hours, plan and conditions unchanged. [Basingstoke and Deane’s licensing guidance](https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/apply) explains that distinction. A new operator wanting longer hours or a different licensed layout must have the separate application requirements assessed.

If the outgoing DPS will leave, deal with that change too. It requires its own variation application and the proposed supervisor’s consent; the [Home Office provides separate DPS forms](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/designated-premises-supervisor-forms-and-guidance). Ask the licensing authority or licensing solicitor to confirm the application sequence and effective dates against the handover. Do not assume a transfer alone keeps the proposed alcohol operation covered.

Ask for records that let the advisers identify what must happen before the new operator trades:

| Subject | Records and decision |
| --- | --- |
| Planning | Decisions, approved plans and conditions: does the intended hotel, restaurant or event use fit? |
| Premises licence | Full licence and licensed plan: are the areas, activities and hours covered, and is the licence in force? |
| Licence holder and DPS | Current holder and supervisor details: who takes each role, and which applications and consents are needed? |
| Food | Existing registration details and incoming operator’s start date: who will register the new food business? |
| Fire safety and works | Current assessment, supporting records and proposed plans: what needs review, alteration or funding before opening? |
| Property agreement | Lease or sale terms and plans: who pays for the works, who obtains consents and what happens if approval is delayed? |

For a landlord, an operator’s interest is more useful when it comes with a defined format: bedrooms, food service, public access, events and hours. Compare that proposal with the documents before negotiating works or an opening date. Have the solicitors record the agreed responsibilities and any conditions in the property agreement.

Rivermark can find and compare hotel property, gather available records and arrange relevant contact. Licensing, planning, legal and fire-safety conclusions remain with the operator’s advisers and the relevant authorities.

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General property information. Use qualified advisers for legal, planning and technical advice.