I am going to apply for a new liquor licence for a building which doesn't currently hold a licence. I have been told that I need to have an "interest in the premise". What exactly does this mean as I have not bought the premises yet and don't want to until a new licence has been granted?
According to the Licensing Act 1964, the applicant for a provisional licence needs to be "interested" in the premises. This does not mean that you have to be either the freeholder or the lessee. It will be sufficient to show the court that you are intending to have some sort of contractual interest in the building in the future. Many courts will wish to see, for example, a draft lease or contract showing that you do have a serious intention in this respect.You should also include within the contract a clause specifying that the contract is conditional upon the new liquor licence being obtained. This will then avoid the situation of you being committed to purchase a building even if you are not successful in obtaining a new liquor licence.