Can a statement of licensing policy prescribe the imposition of standard conditions for all premises licences or club premises certificates?
No. Conditions attached to a premises licence have to be necessary (and not just aspirational) for the promotion of the licensing objectives and must be tailored to the individual style and characteristics of the premises and activities undertaken there. Standardised conditions should be avoided and could be unlawful. It is however acceptable for licensing authorities to draw attention in their statements of policy to pools of conditions from which necessary and proportionate conditions may be drawn in appropriate circumstances. Where no relevant representations are made about an application for or application to vary a premises licence, the licensing authority cannot impose any conditions other than those which are mandatory under the Act.
